Rapid City- George H. Bebee, 86, Rapid City, lost his courageous battle to cancer and went home to the Lord on Wednesday August 25th , 2010 at Rapid City Regional Hospital Hospice of the Hills House in Rapid City. George was born to Harry Lawrence and Irene Bebee on July 28, 1924 in Elk Rapids, Michigan. At the age of nine, George moved to Phoenix, Arizona with his mother and brother, Charles. When George turned 16 he returned to the Midwest as a cowboy, working as a ranch-hand and wrangler in Nebraska. George married Ardath Smith on September 13, 1944 in Gehring, Nebraska and six children were born to this marriage. George served his country from 1944-46 as a member of the United States Army. As part of his service duties, George was stationed in the Republic of the Philippines during World War II. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, George returned to the United States and worked for Chicago Northwestern Railroad in Nebraska and later in Casper, Wyoming where they lived for 14 years. While in Caster he started a business called Bebee Homes and built custom homes for sale. George, Ardath and family moved to northwestern Washington in 1962. While there, George worked at a large sawmill as well as for a construction company building service stations. George, Ardath and family returned to Gordon, Nebraska in 1970, and George started work for R & S Construction. As part of this position George was transferred to numerous locations and helped build several schools on local reservations. George was widowed in 1981 and was subsequently transferred to Rapid City, South Dakota in 1983. While working for R & S, George assisted in building projects such as West Hills Village, Pioneer Bank, and the Surgery Center as well as many other buildings in the Rapid City area. On August 10, 1985, George married Leona B. Engel. They celebrated their silver anniversary with family and close friends during Georges stay at the Hospice House. George retired for the first time in 1989, but continued working as an independent contractor until he was physically unable to perform the work due to his illness. George helped remodel the historic Eilers Building [now the Schmidt Building] on St. Joseph Street for Ron and Priscilla Schmidt. George was a member of South Canyon Baptist Church and served as a committee member of the Child Evangelism Board for a number of years and served as a Deacon for the Lutheran Church and Baptist Church. George was a man of unimaginable and overwhelming faith which never faltered throughout his lengthy illness. George was a gentle, thoughtful, and soft-spoken man. His generosity reached to all who knew him. George greatly enjoyed carpentry and was an artful and master craftsman and won several awards for his projects. He built a number of treasured items and furniture for family members. George enjoyed spending time with family and baby-sitting his step-great-granddaughters. George will be greatly missed by everyone that had the pleasure to know him. George is survived by his loving wife Leona [Engel] Bebee of Rapid City,; his six children: Jolene Bebee of Seattle, Washington, Loren [Diane] Bebee of Kalispell, Montana, Kevin [Rene] Bebee of Lakeside, Arizona, Lissa Bebee , Jeff [Anne] Bebee and Kenya Hatch all of Omaha, Nebraska; two step-sons: Gary [Vikki] Engel and David Engel both of Rapid City; 12 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; as well as 10 great-grandchildren; and 9 step-great-grandchildren; and a vast number of friends and loved ones. George was preceded in death by his first wife, his parents, his brother: Charles, and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday, August 27 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at South Canyon Baptist Church, 3333 West Chicago Street at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 28 with Pastor Paul Lloyd officiating. Burial will be at Pine Lawn Memorial Park, Rapid City with Military Honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post #1273 and South Dakota National Guard.