B.L. "Bill" Saylor Jr., 89, of Lily, SD entered into heaven on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at his daughters home in Aberdeen.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, Jan 19, 2013 at the Lily Historical Church in Lily, SD.

Burial will be held at the Hillside Cemetery, Lily with Military Graveside Rites conducted by Engebretson-Lien American Legion Post #156 where he was a 50 year member.

A family and friends gathering will be held at Coester Funeral Home, Webster on Friday, Jan 18 from 5-7 with a Prayer Service at 7:00.

Bill was born on Nov 13, 1923 at Wallins Creek, Ky to Baty L. and Elizabeth Saylor. He attended school in Wallins Creek. He served in the Navy during WWII, serving on the USS New York and participated in the invasion of North Africa. He also served on the USS Wyoming, he then served on the USS Monterey in the Pacific Theater. He was a 40mm gunner and served under the command of future President Gerald Ford. He was awarded the Bronze Star for shooting down an enemy "Betty Bomber" during a combat mission in the Pacific.

On September 16, 1946 he was united in marriage to Constance "Connie" Barber at her parents home Charles and Minnie Barber in Lily, SD. They resided in Puyallup, WA, where Bill was employed by Boeing Aircraft. They then moved to Lily, SD where he remained for the rest of his life. He farmed for several years raising cattle and Appaloosa Horses, operated an International Dealership, and sold machinery in Florence, Clark and Gettysburg until his retirement.

He loved hunting, fishing, and trapping with his children and grandchildren. He loved to whittle and make horses and dogs for his friends and family. Bill enjoyed having family and friends at the farm to hunt and fish and tell stories. Bill's dog Susie was his constant companion he enjoyed hunting with her and in later years taking her for rides.

Grateful for having shared his life are his three sons; Charles Saylor of Orlando, FL, Craig (Ronna) Saylor of Blair, NE, Brent Saylor of Sioux Falls, SD, one daughter; Charla (Jay) Imrie of Aberdeen, SD, 9 grandchildren, Mike Saylor, Mary Vance, Heather Rudolf, Chad Saylor, David Saylor, Scott Saylor, Mike Imrie, Holly Imrie, and Travis Imrie, 13 great grandchildren, one brother; Howard Saylor of Corydon, IN, one sister Maureen Malphrus Ridgeland, SC and special friend David White Wolf of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Connie, two brothers and four sisters.

Memorials may be directed to the Lily Hillside Cemetery, Avera Hospice or Buffalo Plains Historical Society.