William A. Richter of Colman died Thursday, November 26, 2009 at the Golden Living Care Center in Madison. William was born March 24, 1916 to C.F. "Fred" and Laura (Wold) Richter in Colman, SD. He grew up in the Colman area and graduated from Colman High School in 1934. From 1935 to 1936 Bill worked for the CCC in the Black Hills. On February 26, 1939 he married Elaine Bidwell at the Bidwell Farm. Bill farmed north of Colman until 1953. He witched for water and dug wells north of Colman. They moved to the Bidwell Farm east of Colman on Highway 34. Bill retired in 1979 and remained on the farmstead until 2004 when they moved to Madison. Elaine died on September 21, 2005. Bill served on the Colman School Board for many years, was on the founding Board of Directors for the Big Sioux Rural Water and was a member of Colman Lutheran Church.

Bill is survived by 4 children, Dorothy Pomper, Sioux Falls, Charles (Jackie) Richter, Colman, Richard (Shirley) Richter, Crooks, Rita (Jan) Duchek, Eagan, MN; 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; 2 granddaughters, Joy, Christine; daughter-in-law, Bernie; parents; 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Funeral services will be Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Colman Lutheran Church, Colman with burial at the Colman Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Saturday at Colman Lutheran Church with a 5:30 PM prayer service.