Bill Michael Kessloff, 85, of Rapid City passed away Friday, May 31, 2024, at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, two weeks after suffering a heart attack while umpiring a softball game at the Star of the West Softball Complex. He loved umpiring, and he was believed to be the oldest working umpire in South Dakota.

Bill was born Feb. 4, 1939, in Los Angeles to Bill and Nora Kessloff. He grew up in the Watts section of the city, and at an early age developed a love of baseball. At age 19, he was invited by famed Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Al Campanis, at the time the team's scouting director, to try out for the Los Angeles Dodger Rookie Stars of Tomorrow team. He made the team, but for family reasons had to give up his dream of professional baseball.

Bill graduated from Mt. San Antonio College with an Associate of Arts degree. For a number of years, he worked as a landscape contractor in Los Angeles. At one time he was the youngest landscape contractor in the city. He later moved to Northern California, where he owned and operated a walnut orchard for a number of years.

In May of 1983, Bill married Jean Elaine Oleson in California. In 1997, they moved to Rapid City, Jean's hometown. He and Jean have been active in several civic organizations in Rapid City, including the West Boulevard Neighborhood Association, the Rapid City Elks Club and Historic Rapid City, the nonprofit group that is restoring the historic McGillycuddy House on South Street. Bill also served on the Rapid City Airport Board.

Bill had a friendly, gregarious personality, and he was well-known in the Rapid City community.

Survivors include his wife, Jean, of Rapid City; two children from a previous marriage, Kim Coleman in Oregon and Jerry Kessloff in Southern California; brother David Kessloff and sister Diane Lidyoff, both in Northern California; Four grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Verna Bowman.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Historic Rapid City, 1015 12th St., Rapid City, SD, 57701, to advance the restoration of the McGillycuddy House.