William "Bill" G. Neale

William "Bill" Neale, age 93, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at a medical center in Arlington, MN. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the First Congregational Church of Christ in Watertown, SD.  Pastor Dustin Bartlett and Pastor Steven Melede will officiate.  The funeral service will be live-streamed via our website.  Lunch will be served following the funeral service.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. with Masonic Rights starting at 6:30 p.m.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.

William (Bill) Giles Neale was born to William I. and Arlie L. Neale in Redwood Falls, Minnesota on May 12th, 1931.  He graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1949.   He attended the University of Minnesota from 1949 to 1951.  He left the University to enlist in the U.S. Navy, May 1951 and separated in 1955 with Honorable Discharge as Personalman First Class, E-6.  He served on the USS Randall APA 224, and the USS Mount Olympic.  He was stationed in Great Lakes, IL, Norfolk VA, and San Diego, CA.  His fondest memory was getting to go to sea to advance two pay grades to E6.  He went back to the University of Minnesota from 1955 to 1957, and graduated with a BBA, Accounting Major and received his Minnesota CPA certificate in March of 1962.  While at the University of Minnesota he met his wife, Donna L. Aldritt and were married at the Excelsior Congregational Church on December 29th, 1956.  They lived in Excelsior until January 1959.  They moved to Fridley, Minnesota until August 1965.  In August, 1965 they moved to Watertown, South Dakota. 

In high school he was an active De Molay and eventually served two terms as Master Councilor.  He joined Concord Lodge #13 in Watertown, initiated Entered Apprentice on 4-25-73, passed Fellow Craft 7-18-73, and raised to Master Mason on 12-5-73.  He served as master of the lodge in 1976-1977.  He joined Yankton Consistory in 1977.  He was a member of the Yelduz Temple since 11-1-1980.  He joined York Rite Bodies in Watertown and served as Secretary of the Chapter and Recorder of Commandry.  He served as President of North East Shrine Club in 1984 and Served as the President of Scooter Patrol in 1984.  He was on the Board of Watertown Housing Authority 1987-2020.

He is survived by two sons Dave and wife Tammy of Watertown, SD, and Paul of Chandler, AZ; two daughters Lori Neale-Moore of Eagan, MN and Mary and husband Dave Currier of Chaska, MN.  Eight grandchildren – Ryan (Crystal), Corey (Ally) of Watertown, SD, Tanner Neale of Fargo, ND, Matthew of Miami FL, Hannah of Columbia, TN, Madysen and Jesse Moore of Prior Lake, MN, Amber (Adam) of Woodbury, MN, Amanda (James) of West St. Paul. Four step-grandchildren, Brittany (Nick) of Centerville, and Chelsea (Mike) of Hopkins, MN.  Thirteen great- grandchildren, fourteen nieces and nephews, many many great nieces and nephews, and his special friend Joanne Kolstad.  A special thank you to all of his friends, especially the Thursday coffee/Thursday night dinner group.  He greatly enjoyed his time with you.  He was preceded in death by his wife Donna of 54+ years of marriage, his parents William and Arlie Neale, his in-law’s Lincoln and Harriette Aldritt, sisters Dee Melde and Leona Neale, and brother Donald Neale.

Dad was scheduled to be on the Midwest Honor Flight Mission 22 on Tuesday, Oct. 8th.  He was very excited to go, but someone upstairs had other flight plans for him.  Midwest Honor flight will be honoring dad by including him in roll call on the flight.

Dad was the last standing “Greatest Generation” in our family, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and businessman.  We will miss your hugs and “I love you’s” at the end of every conversation.  Don’t worry dad, we will carry on the torch for you, you and mom taught us well.  You will always be in our hearts.  XOXO

Family requests memorials be directed towards First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Watertown, SD; Yelduz Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund in Aberdeen, SD; Concord Lodge in Watertown, SD; Watertown Community Foundation in Watertown, SD.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown & Hayti

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