Gurney W. Guffey age 83 of Belle Fourche, died Sunday November 20th, 2005 at the Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Services were held Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Belle Fourche with Rev. Gail Arnold officiating. Interment was held in the Pine Slope Cemetery, Belle Fourche.

Gurney was born January 31, 1922 near Clark South Dakota. He was the son of Orval and Bessie (Kelly) Guffey. Gurney grew up on the family farm near Clark where he attended a country school. Gurney farmed with his father and also helped him gravel roads for several years. Some time later he bought his own truck and trailer and began his life long work and love of hauling cattle and grain.

On December 19, 1944 he was married to Coralynn Clyde in Madison, MN. To this union, two children were born;, daughter Sheila Raye and son Willard Dean. Following their marriage they spent a short time in Seattle WA, but returned to the Clark area where Gurney continued his trucking business. In 1954 they moved to Timber Lake SD where he trucked cattle for the sale barn and area ranchers. Later he and his son Willard established "Guffey and Son Trucking" and worked together from 1968 to 1977, when Willard moved to Wyoming. During this time they were fortunate to have purchased two Peterbuilt trucks of which Gurney was very proud as it was his first new truck.

In the summer of 1997 poor health caused Gurney to quit trucking and move to Belle Fourche. Following a good recovery, he began trucking again and later drove for Patton Trucking on New Castle WY. In 2001 he finally retired.

Gurney was a special husband, grandfather and great grandfather. He was happiest in life when he was with his family. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren very much. Trucking was a big part of Gurney's life. He loved it. After retirement he enjoyed visiting on the telephone with his trucking friends. He also enjoyed working with his teams of horses and mules. Many memories will be treasured and he will be greatly missed by his family.

Gurney is survived by his wife, Coralynn of Belle Fourche; daughter, Sheila Elliott of Rapid City; son, Willard (Fran) of Gillette WY; four grandchildren, Shannon and Shelby Elliot of Minneapolis, Kelly (Wendy) Guffey and Brandon (Samantha) Guffey of Gillette WY; three great grandchildren, Zachary, Ashlynn and Aaliyah Guffey; brother, Jack (Gloria) of Rapid City; sister, Bonnie Schulz of Clark SD; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter; and two nieces.

May God Bless the Memory of Gurney Willard Guffey.

Funeral Home of the Northern Hills - Belle Fourche - 605-892-3320.