William "Bill" Jay Terpstra, 61, of Doland, SD died Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. His funeral will be Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Doland High School Gymnasium. Reverend Grace Rhodes will officiate. Burial will be in the Doland Cemetery with full military rites. Visitation will be Friday from 1-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6-8:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. (www.thelenfuneralhome.com) Bill wanted the funeral at the gymnasium, because he didn't like sitting in the basement at funerals. Bill also requested that casual clothing be worn.

Bill was born January 29, 1947 in Redfield to Jay and Cecelia (Heer) Terpstra. He graduated from Doland High School in 1965 and attended South Dakota State University in Brookings. He served in the United States Army, in Germany, during the Vietnam War. Before serving in the Army and a few years after his discharge, Bill custom combined, traveling south several years. Bill married Linda Zahn on June 1, 1985 in Doland. He farmed and was also a crop insurance adjuster for several years, working for Heartland Crop Insurance at the time of his illness.

He was the clerk for the Prairie Center Township, treasurer for the Doland Fire Association and a member of the United Methodist Church and American Legion.

Bill enjoyed following the Doland High School sports activities, Minnesota Twins and Vikings and playing cards. He especially enjoyed pheasant hunting with his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his wife Linda of Doland, one daughter Sarah Terpstra of Doland, his mother Cecelia Terpstra of Doland, his sister Norma (David) Hart of Huron, and his brother Don Terpstra of Huron. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Carol (Mike) Steinwand of Oshkosh, WI and his brother-in-law David (Michele) Zahn of Aberdeen and his nieces and nephews: Loree Hart, Adam, Laura, and Margaret Zahn and Nicholas Steinwand.

He was preceded in death by his father, his nephew Michael Hart and his mother and father-in-law Walter and Agnes Zahn.