William “Bill” Martin Pierson was born December 17, 1934 in Mitchell to Alex and Stella (Westwood) Pierson. He graduated from Ethan High School in 1952. On Nov. 24, 1952, he married Margaret Sibson at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell.

Bill grew up farming the land and raising cattle with his father and eventually assumed the family farm. He and Margaret raised seven children in the same home where he grew up. He retired from farming in 2000. He and Margaret enjoyed winters in Arizona and traveled much of the year, exploring places such as France, Germany, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. They continued to spend their summers east of Ethan until five years ago, when they purchased a townhome in Mitchell. Bill enjoyed camping, fishing and lawn games and always was up for a good game of “Pinochle” or “Bridge.” The sight of Bill gliding across the dance floor while ballroom or square dancing with his bride in his arms was a beauty to all.

“Daddy” was a hardworking, Christian man who always delighted in visits from his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His love for his family was obvious by the gleam in his eyes and his wide, bright smile, which always led to a hearty chuckle and a “yeah, yeah!”

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Mitchell; seven children, Rich (Kris) Pierson of Washington, Iowa; Deb (Al) Jennings of Spearfish; Dan (Mary) Pierson of Merrill, Iowa; Dean (Nancy) Pierson of Brandon; Denise (Mike) Royston of Ethan; Rod (Lisa) Pierson of Dell Rapids; and Ray (Ann) Pierson of Sioux Falls; 23 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four  sisters, Catherine Kurtenbach of Colorado; Violet Koutz of Minnesota; Georgia (Herb) Sibson of Ft. Pierre and Alice Friedel of Gettysburg; his wife’s siblings: David (Joyce) Sibson of Mitchell;  Jean Danielson of Rapid City and a sister-in-law, Dolores Sibson of Mitchell.  He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.