William "Bill" Alfred Kretschmer

William “Bill” Alfred Kretschmer peacefully stepped into life eternal on Sunday, June 25, 2026. Graveside services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at St. John's Cemetery in rural Dimock, SD. Visitation will be from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7:30 PM.We was born on 5 September, 1941 to Alfred William and Ada Violet (Markla) Kretschmer in Washington, D.C. At the age of three, they returned to the family farm in Mitchell, SD and then, later moved to Ethan, SD where he resided until moving to his home with Jesus. He graduated from Ethan High School with the class of 1959, worked as a master builder/carpenter with his father until he was drafted and served his country with honor during the Vietnam era. After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1966 (this timeline doesn’t match), he met the love of his life at the urging of a family friend as a result of a pheasant hunting trip and months of letter writing back and forth. They finally met for the first time in 1964 in Kansas City, MO and the rest is history. He was united in marriage to Barbara Leona Harris on February 14, 1966 in Barbara’s hometown of Lawrence, KS. Upon returning to South Dakota, they started their family of four daughters and Bill continued in the carpentry, building and plumbing trade until ultimately working with Plankinton Training School for over thirty years. He was a steadfast example of leadership and character to all the students under his influence. He was an avid, self-taught reader from the age of three and has forgotten more about a plethora of subjects than many will ever learn in their lifetime. As a result, he displayed a love of learning that was passed on to his daughters, his grandchildren and the generations to follow. As a master carpenter, he enjoyed woodworking as a hobby. Hunting and fishing were also pastimes that he enjoyed and shared with his family.

He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Dimock where he and Barbara served as Luther League advisors for many years. Later, he attended Amazing Grace Free Lutheran Church, Mitchell. Until his passing, he studied the Bible remotely every Tuesday with The Way Church in Florida.

He is survived by his daughters, Tamara (Craig) Millage of Connell, WA, Cindy Speas, Denise Kretschmer and Debra (Joseph) McCartney all of Ethan, SD; son-in-law Michael Speas; grandchildren: Jackie Ann (Tyler) Helma of Mitchell, SD, Heather Speas of Ethan, SD, Aliea Kretschmer Webster (Josiah Webster) of Ethan, SD, Emmalee Millage and Eleanor Millage of Connell, WA; great-grandchildren: Jaden, Violet, Tanner, Von and Lucius; sister-in-law Claudia Mirabella, brother-in-law, Cole B. Stutts, Jr.; niece Pamela (Boyd) Paulson and her three sons, nephew Don (Kristy) Mirabella and their three daughters; numerous cousins and many honorary grands: Nakita Voight, Michael Rosencrans, Cameron Wittstruck, Katelyn Albertz, Elyse Webster Seely, Sidnae Webster, Lexy Lind; and great grand, Aiden Wittstruck.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara, his parents Alfred and Ada, parents-in-law Vernon D. (Jack) and Anna Mae (nee Tanner) Harris, brothers-in-law Joe Mirabella and Jim McFadden and sister-in-law, Kathleen Stutts; uncle Howard Markla; maternal and paternal grandparents; aunts and uncles on the Kretschmer family tree branches and several cousins.

“Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your LORD.”