William Herman Krokel was born in Java, South Dakota on January 3, 1939 to William and Emma Bertsch Krokel. His Father was killed in a farming accident and he was raised by his Father and step-father Adam Rieger. They moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota and William graduated from Aberdeen Central High School. He joined the military in 1957 and served in the Army. He was in Korea during his military service and part of the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 327th Infantry.
After the service he moved to Seattle, but letters revealed that his heart was back in South Dakota and he settled in Rapid City, a place that he loved and where he remained his entire life. He was a survivor of the Rapid City Flood, where his home was destroyed by Rapid Creek which is now a large green space.
William made his early living as an overland trucker, stopping unannounced to greet family in Aberdeen when his route took him close to home. Mom and Dad, his brother Richard and wife Carol with their three children were always ready to greet him as well as his little sister, Carol. He found time to fish with the family at the Missouri River, looking for the big Northern Pike or Muskie. Following his trucking career he worked at the Dakota Cement Plant until his retirement.
William loved his time in the Black Hills, always ready to show people the tourist sites, but when on his own, he loved quiet time at Angostura and had his own isolated fishing spots in the Hills. He was slim and fit his entire life, ready to hike anywhere to find that Rainbow Trout.
He enjoyed his friends from work and the area. He described himself as a loner, and even as his body became less able he fought to live on his own, and make his own decisions until his last days when he was telling stories of past good times.
He is survived by his sister, Carol Rieger, his sister-in-law, Carol Krokel, nephews Rich Krokel and Kerry Krokel, and his great-nephews Ricky Krokel and Nick Krokel and their families. He is preceded in death by his paternal father, William Krokel, step-father Adam Rieger and mother Emma Krokel Rieger, brother Richard Krokel, nephew Bradley Krokel, and brother-in-law Randall Holm. He is also preceded in death by step-sisters Delores Rieger Maynard and Darlene Rieger Nichols.
William passed away on July 4, 2024 in Rapid City, South Dakota. May his eternal life be filled with the family that greets him and may the Black Hills of South Dakota forever be his home.
Friends and family may sign the online guest register and leave written condolences at WestRiverFuneral.com.
