Memorial services for William "Bill" Kohn, age 69, of Glenham will be at 1:30 PM, Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at Kesling Funeral Chapel in Mobridge. Burial will be in the GlenhamCemetery. Bill passed away Thursday, March 20, 2014 at the MobridgeRegionalHospital. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to New Hope Cancer Foundation, PO Box 422, Mobridge, SD57601

William "Bill" Nelson Kohn was born in Deadwood, South Dakota, June 23, 1944 to Robert and Kathleen (Nelson) Kohn. During his grade school years he went to school in Blunt, Iroquois and Timber Lake, South Dakota. His sophomore year of high school his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended KirkwoodHigh School. He was an outstanding golfer, football and basketball player and graduated in 1962. Moving to Missouri began his lifelong passion of the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball team. After high school he attended St. Louis University for one and a half years before transferring to Black Hills State College in Spearfish, South Dakota. He excelled in both basketball and football during his college years. Bill was a two time all-SDIC performer in basketball and was an all-district pick both years. He also was an honorable mention All American in basketball. In football, he was SDIC honorable mention for two seasons and first team all-conference in 1966. He graduated with a composite major of Business Administration and Business Education in 1967. He later returned to Black HillsState and earned his master's in Business Administration.

While attending college, Bill met Dee Moore of Gillette, Wyoming. They were married on August 24, 1965. To this union Tina, Ryan and Toni were born. In August of 1967, they moved to Lemmon, South Dakota, where Bill began his teaching and coaching career. Bill taught business classes and P.E. and coached football, basketball and track for several years. Bill later became the principal at LemmonHigh School. He also played on the Lemmon Independent Basketball team from 1967-1976.

In 1974, he changed careers where he owned and operated Kohn's Sport Shop for 29 years. Bill officiated high school basketball games from 1967-1992 as well as Class B, A and AA district and regional boys tournaments. During his 15 years of officiating Boys State A and AA Tournaments, Bill refereed seven championship tournament games. In addition to high school basketball, Bill also officiated men's college basketball and high school football. After nearly 28 years as a basketball official he retired from refereeing. For 23 years he served as a starter for track meets, including many regional and two State Class B meets. Bill also coached his kids traveling basketball teams during the summer months.

Over the years, Bill received several distinguished awards including: The Hall of Fame at Black HillsStateUniversity for his college sports achievements, the SD Amateur Basketball Hall of Fame, the distinguished service award by the Board of Control of the SDHSAA, and the SD Basketball Coaches Association Hall-of-Shrine in the Officials category.

During Bill's years in Lemmon he was active in many organizations: Lemmon Country Club, Jaycees, City Council, Economic Development and Mayor of Lemmon.

Over the years, Bill treasured many fond memories of the St. Louis Cardinals. His greatest memory was attending the World Series at Bush Stadium Ballpark in 1998 with one of his best friends from high school who was also a part owner of the Cardinals.

On November 3, 2007, Bill married Yvonne Bradford of Glenham, South Dakota, where they continued to live. He worked as a substitute teacher in the area for a few years and then was employed by the Mobridge Tribune until his death.

The final ballgame ended for Bill on Thursday evening, March 20, 2014. He passed away peacefully at the MobridgeHospital after an aggressive reoccurrence of cancer.

He was survived by his wife, Yvonne, his children, Tina (Vance) Trogstad and Ryan (Jeanna) Kohn all of Lemmon and Toni (Tracy) Hoffman of Bismarck, ND, his grandchildren, Chloe and Talon Trogstad, Tayte, Allie and Jordyn Kohn, and Lyric, Jet and Scout Hoffman. his step-sons, Billy Joe (Tracie) Bradford of Onida, Clayton (Roxana) Bradford of Selby, his step-grandchildren, Bailey, Brooklynn and Tailynn Bradford and Tomi Jo, Dylan, Nathan and Cooper Bradford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Kathleen Kohn, his 9 year old brother, Bobby, father-in-law, Sonny Moore, and all of his grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to New Hope Cancer Foundation, PO Box 422, Mobridge, SD57601