William J. Linch age 92 of Belle Fourche, died Thursday March 2, 2006 at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center.

The funeral service will be held 11 AM Monday at the St. James Lutheran Church in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Jeff Otterman officiating. Visitation will be held 2 to 8 PM Sunday at the Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, and 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held in the Pine Slope Cemetery, in Belle Fourche.

William John Linch was born April 28, 1913 in Nisland, SD. He was the son of Samuel and Emma (Lawrence) Linch. Bill grew up in Hulett WY and Lincoln NB. He was married to Ada Louise Cochrun in Belle Fourche on November 4, 1935. Following their marriage they farmed and sheep ranched near Alzada, Montana for many years. Louise died in 1989 and following her death Bill continued his sheep business until 1995 when he retired after 62 years of sheep ranching. In 1998 he moved into Belle Fourche and for the past two months he has been a resident at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center.

Bill will be remembered for being a hard working man who enjoyed sheep ranching. The lambing season especially always required his work and commitment to see his herd (at times more than 300 head) succeed. Memories of Bill's smile will be kept forever. He was always happy to see you and would greet his friends with a hand shake and a genuine greeting and smile. Bill will also be remembered for his cucumber garden because of the volume of cucumbers that would be produced. Bill was a special father and grandfather and will always be loved in the hearts of his children and grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his son, Don (Kay) of Belle Fourche; daughter, Willa DeBois of Erda Utah; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; 3 sons, infant Mickey, Denny and Dee; and 2 grandsons.