Wilhelm E. "Willie" Geigle, was born September 30, 1918, in his parent’s home eighteen miles north of Quinn, South Dakota, the son of Wilhelm G. and Beata (Denke) Geigle. He grew up working on the family farm and spent his grammar school at the Big White School.

In March 1942 he was drafted into the Army during WWII. He started his basic training in St Louis, Washington, then he went to Camp Hood, TX, and was in the 803rd Tank Destroyer Unit. He received more training in Pine Camp, New Jersey before spending three years in Europe, starting with "D Day" entering the war at Normandy Beach, continuing with the "Battle of the Bulge" fighting passionately for his country. During his tour, Willie served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. Willie was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he received during battle, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European Theatre Campaign Medal. Willie was honorably discharged on October 3, 1945 in Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

After his honorable discharge, Willie returned to South Dakota.

Willie was united in marriage to Annette Eisenbraun in her parents' home on the Cheyenne River on December 11th , 1946. To this union were born four children; Wallace, Wade, Ned, and Nan. They settled on a farm-ranch north of Quinn, South Dakota where they lived for twenty-eight years. They then moved into Wall where Willie served as custodian of the Wall School District for ten years. After his retirement, they have continued to make their home in Wall.

In 1999 Willie proudly accepted a special French medal for his efforts in the landing on Utah Beach in Normandy.

On November 11, 2000, Governor Bill Janklow proclaimed that day as Wilhelm Geigle Day, for his completion of fifty years of membership in the American Legion Post #246 of Wall; for being one of the first WWII veterans to join the Legion and participate in the first Armistice Day, later called Veterans Day after WWII; and for his outstanding service provided to his post, the community of Wall, the state of South Dakota, and the United States of America.

In addition to being a fifty-year member of the American Legion, Willie and his family were members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Creighton, South Dakota, and a former member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Quinn, in which he was active in both churches. He also served on the Big White School Board, and was a member of the F.J. Willuweit V.F.W. Post #9120 in Quinn.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Annette Geigle of Wall; three sons, Wallace Geigle and his wife Marie of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Wade Geigle of Creighton, and Ned Geigle of Crescent City, California; a daughter Nan Miller and her husband Harvey of Wall; nine grandchildren, Sara and Jory Geigle, Fawna Geigle, Tanna, Monica, and twins Christopher and Creighton Geigle, and Danny and Jim Miller; a brother in-law Dale Randolph of Rapid City; a sister in-law Lucille Geigle Randolph of Rapid City; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents a step-mother Elizabeth "Lizzy" (Geigle) Denke; a step-mother Klara Geigle; a sister Bethina Randolph; a brother Edward Geigle; and an infant brother.

Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 21, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Creighton, with Vicar Monty Dell officiating.

Interment was at the Wall Cemetery.

A memorial has been established.

CLERGY
Vicar Monty Dell

ORGANIST
Nan Miller
Congregational Hymns
"Rock of Ages"
"God Bless Our Native Land"
"Onward Christian Soldiers"

USHERS
Norman Geigle - Alvin Eisenbraun

PALLBEARERS
Henry Hanson - Eugene Helms
Jory Geigle - Darwin Geigle
David Randolph - Clayton Severson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS BY THE
CARROLL MCDONALD AMERICAN LEGION POST #246 OF WALL
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota