Billy Tarrell

Billy Lewis Tarrell, a man with a gruff voice but a big kind heart, passed away June 5, 2026 at the VA Hospice Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Bill was born October 20, l952 at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to his parents George and Lillian (Pusch) Tarrell who lived on a farm near Canistota, South Dakota. He was the third child in the family with an older brother, Tom and sister Sylvia. He was later joined by two younger sisters, Laura and May.

The George Tarrell family of seven moved to a farm near Huron, South Dakota in l957 where Bill attended country school. Bill was a member of the Virgil Methodist Church in Virgil, South Dakota and was baptized there in 1964. In l968 the family moved back to the Canistota area after purchasing the Lewis Tarrell farm. Following Bill’s education at Canistota, he enrolled in the Job Corps, a residential job training and education program in Nemo, South Dakota in the culinary arts program and graduated. In l972 he joined the US Marine Corp at the age of 20 and was honorably discharged.

On Valentine’s Day in l992 Bill married the love of his life, Carol (Pilla) Tunell in Vermillion, South Dakota. They made their home in Beresford and Bill became a step-father to Carol’s two children Todd and Travis from this union. They shared a love of children and were known in their family and community for helping out with babysitting and special gifts or treats for children.

Throughout the years, Bill worked many different jobs including traveling the country in the circus before his marriage. He loved farming and really enjoyed working on the farm during harvest time especially for his friend, Perry Amber. Bill was a favorite in the Beresford area where he had a garbage route and was loved for his friendliness, reliability and kindness. He had a beautiful singing voice and loved playing the guitar, hunting, fishing and spending time with family. He was especially loved by his nieces and nephews and enjoyed receiving news, letters, pictures and visits from them.

Bill is survived by his two step-sons Todd and Travis Tunell and step-grandson Tyler of Denver, Colorado; brother, Tomas Tarrell of Monroe, South Dakota; sisters, Sylvia (Dennis) Hauck of Dickinson, North Dakota and Laura Tarrell Dziadek of Freeman, South Dakota; significant other, Sandy Verhoef, and many beloved nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Carol, his parents, sister May Schaefer of Hartfordand sister-in-law Salinda (Sindy) Tarrell of Monroe.

Bill’s family would like to thank Sandy Verhoef for her love and support to Bill these past five years. We are also thankful for the VA Hospital and Hospice staff for their wonderful care of Bill during his final days. A very special thanks to Nancy Schaefer for her loving nursing care during Bill’s last night. Your love and kindness is so very much appreciated. God bless each of you.

Tomas Tarrell, Sylvia Hauck and Laura Dziadek