William "Bill" Snyder

Cottonwood: William “Bill” Snyder, age 83 of Cottonwood, passed away at the Sanford Medical Centter in Sioux Falls on Sunday, June 12, 2011. Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 16th at the Swan Lake Evangelical Free Church in Cottonwood. Visitation will be 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service Wednesday at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Cottonwood City Cemetery. William (Bill) E. Snyder was born October 25, 1927 to Ed and Nora (Javens) Snyder. He worked with his parents on their farm near Cottonwood, MN. He attended a one room school house near the family farm until he transferred to Marshall High School. After graduating from Marshall High School in 1945 he attended Morris Ag School graduating in 1947. In 1948 Bill enlisted in the 1st Cavalry, infantry division. He earned the rank of Master Sergeant and was deployed to the Korean Conflict in1951 where he fought on the front lines. Bill flew 32 successful combat missions and was honorably discharged in 1953. On March 3, 1957 Bill married Lois Joanne Runholt. To this union, three children were born: Randall Edmond, Rebecca Joanne, and Michael Joseph. Bill and Lois worked on their farm near Cottonwood for 47 years before retiring. Bill loved camping, fishing, having coffee with his good friends and traveling. His favorite vacation spot was Orlando, Florida. Bill taught firearm safety for 20 years and loved producing the “Morning Meditations” program out of his home studio which could be heard each morning for more than 15 years on KMHL radio. Bill was a lifelong member of the Swan Lake Evangelical Free Church and served as a trustee and sound engineer for many years. Bill loved his wife and family but most of all he loved his Lord and wanted everyone to know that the only way to truly be free and have peace in their lives was to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Randy and his wife Vicki Snyder of Eden Prairie, MN, Becky and her husband Steve of Fairmont, MN and Mike and his wife Kari of Lakeville, MN; his grandchildren, Johanna, Stephanie, Kelly, Jake, Jamie, MacKenzie, and Olivia; his six nieces and their spouses and many dear friends. Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife Lois, sister Dortha Hirmer and her husband John, brother Vern (Bud)Snyder and his wife Georgia, and his parents Ed and Nora. Memorials preferred to Prairie Home Hospice or Swan Lake Evangelical Free Church. Blessed be his memory. y.