William (Bill) Lewis Jacomet passed away peacefully on February 3, 2010 at Weskota Manor Avera in Wessington Springs, SD.

Bill was born in Sioux Falls to Heinie and Daisy (Corbin) Jacomet on June 4, 1931 and graduated from Washington Senior High School in Sioux Falls.

Bill was employed at Sunshine Grocery when he met his wife of almost 49 years, Dolores Jellema. They were married on November 22, 1949. During their years together, they lived in Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Wessington Springs, Pierre, and back to Wessington Springs. Bill worked selling insurance, delivering Langenfeld Ice Cream (including to the Northside Grocery in Wessington Springs)and Sunbeam Bakeries.

Bill and Dolores then purchased the Springs Inn Café in November of 1967. They owned and operated the business through June of 1974 when they sold the café to Alan Linn and moved to Pierre.

In Pierre, Bill worked for the S.D. Office of Aging and was instrumental in developing the lunch program for senior citizens. In 1978, they returned to Wessington Springs to, once again, purchase the Springs Inn Café. While Dolores ran the café with the help of their daughter Carla and her husband Jon Niemeyer, Bill traveled as a salesman for Grace Lee Products. In 1984 Bill became the Jerauld County Director of Equalization from which he retired in 2000. In 2006 Bill sold the Springs Inn Café to daughter Carla (Jon) Niemeyer.

Suffering from Alzheimer’s, Bill moved into Weskota Manor Avera in October of 2007.

Bill was a member of the United Church of Christ, Frontier Masonic Lodge, James Valley Shriners, Eastern Star, Wessington Springs Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Springs Area Bus Committee, and the Springs Area Community Club. He was an avid bowler and golfer with a state bowling championship and two holes-in-ones under his belt.

In 2002, Bill married Phyllis Thompson. They enjoyed their retirement years between Wessington Springs and winters in Texas.

Bill is survived by his children Cheryl (Chet) Manthei, Lynn (Ellen) Jacomet, Carla (Jon) Niemeyer all of Wessington Springs, Jeff (Mary) Jacomet of Sun City, AZ, Michael Jacomet of Sioux Falls, SD, 11 grandchildren Teri (Dale) Main of Keystone, Chad (Jeannette) Reifers of Scottsdale, AZ, Judd (Laura) Reifers of George, IA, Nicole Reifers of Rapid City, SD, Melissa Jacomet of Wyoming, Paige Jacomet of Wessington Springs, Justus Niemeyer of Wessington Springs, Michael and Taylor Jacomet of Sioux Falls, Jacqueline (Dareus) Montreal of Fort Riley, KS, Samuel Jacomet, stationed in Kuwait, 12 great grandchildren, Colton Nielsen, Bailee , Kobe & Levi Main, Brenden Reifers, Jayden & Rylee Bugenhagen, Corbin, Reid & Faith Montreal, Tyler Jacomet, Marlee Rae Jacomet , 2 step-children Donna (Craig) Larson & Ron (Becky) Thompson. 14 step-grandchildren & 16 step-great grandchildren, one sister Karen (Norman) Walters of Foristell, MO., and sisters-in-law Etta, Marie, Tokey and brothers-in-law Don, Tom & Orion along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, Dolores in 1998 and Phyllis in 2005, his sister and brother-in-law Frances (Roger) Deets, 2 brothers-in-law, Onno & John Jellema, sister-in-law, Agnes Jellema and great nephew Cory Griffith.

Pallbearers for Bill include grandsons, Chad Reifers, Judd Reifers, Justus Niemeyer, Michael Jacomet, Taylor Jacomet, Fred Knight, Charlie Thornton, Roger Dwyer & Joe Gregg. Honorary pallbearers are Fred Scherschlight and the “Springs Inn Table Of Knowledge”.

Funeral services were held Saturday February 6, 2010 at the Foothills Bible Fellowship Church with Pastor Sara Dean officiating. Interment was in Prospect Hill Cemetery. An Eastern Star and Masonic Service was held Friday evening at the church.

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