William R. "Bill" Honerkamp

Bill Honerkamp, 73, passed away on Oct. 23, 2017 at the VA hospice unit at Fort Meade, SD after a courageous battle against lung cancer.

He was born on October 11, 1944 to Marie (Cook) and Bill Derrick in St. Louis, Missouri. His father was killed in WW II in March 1945. At the age of 3, Marie married Jack "John" Honerkamp. Bill was adopted by Jack and the family of three started a new life together in Piedmont, SD. He was the oldest of eight children who grew up on the Covered Wagon Campground and Resort. While growing up at the resort he was one of the lifeguards who taught swimming lessons to many Piedmont area children and even some adults.

He graduated from Rapid City Cathedral High School in 1962. In 1963 his father John was paralyzed in a construction accident. Bill left college at Arizona State to return to his help at the campground. He received a BA degree in Communications (journalism and speech) from Black Hills State University in 1967. He was called to service during the Vietnam Conflict and joined the Navy in 1968.

On May 29, 1968 he married Paula Thompson at San Diego, CA. They were stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (CINC PAC FLEET) and Adak, Alaska. He was a navy journalist with assignments reporting Apollo moon mission splashdowns, presidential visits and trips to Vietnam with combat camera crews. The most memorable was the Apollo 11 recovery mission aboard the USS Hornet. Bill suggested the motto "Hornet +3" who referred to Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his news coverage and work with civilian journalists. He also wrote for the Stars & Stripes and 'down home' stories about our service men and women.

In 1971 after the birth of their daughter Marnie they returned to South Dakota. Bill started his career with the SD Division of Tourism. He was promoted to State Travel Director a leadership position he held for eight years. While living in Pierre daughters Andrea and Cory were born. Bill enjoyed promoting South Dakota, but when an opportunity to promote the Black Hills appeared in 1978 he jumped at the chance to move home. He became the President and CEO of Black Hills, Badlands, & Lakes Association, leading his staff for three decades of innovative marketing of our beautiful vacation destination.

He had a passion and love of the Black Hills and South Dakota. This showed in his hard work and leadership throughout his 30 year career. For instance Bill set up the first tourism 800 phone number in the country. He initiated the lit swap, lead the charge to build the Black Hills Information Center, and in 1995 he authored the State Tourism Tax legislation that continues to generate funding for the Office of Tourism. He was awarded the A.H. Pankow Award in 2001, the Ben Black Elk Award in 2011, and his very own day on Oct. 28, 2010.

He was on the American Red Cross Board, Mount Rushmore Society, and lifelong member of the Catholic Church. In fact, he played guitar with the folk group at Our Lady of the Black Hills church since 1980.

After retirement in 2010 he continued his passion for buffalo and love of visitors while driving a jeep in Custer State Park. He truly was happiest in the outdoors of South Dakota which he shared with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, music and photography.

He is survived by wife of 49 years, Paula; daughters Andrea (Ryan) Schaub, Chamberlain, SD and Cory Marie (Jan) Goroski, Littleton, CO; grandchildren Leah and Ethan Goroski, and Brynn Schaub. He is also survived by his mother Marie Honerkamp, Piedmont and 7 siblings; Kathleen Hoskins and Bruce (Vicki) Honerkamp of Piedmont, Jack (Kate Merriman) Honerkamp, Chadron NE, Nancy (Cliff) Coleman, Clark Fork , ID, Teena (Rick) Evers, Umatilla, FL, MaryAnne (Brad) Lynes, Kingman, AZ, and Jody (Tim) Jackson of Durham, NC; sisters-in-law LuAnne Nisco and Donna Thompson and brother-in-law John Bangle all of Rapid City, SD; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

He was preceded is death by his birth father Bill Derrick, father John Honerkamp, daughter Marnie Honerkamp, mother-in-law Jean (Bahr) Thompson, father-in-law Blaine Thompson, and sister-in-law Roxie Bangle.

Visitation Sunday, October 29th 2-4pm followed by 4 pm Christian Wake Service at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Christian Funeral Mass will be Monday, Oct. 30th 10 am at Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church in Piedmont with Rev. Andrzej Wyrostek presiding. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery, 1 pm with military honors provided by the Piedmont American Legion Post 311 and the US Navy Honor Guard.

Memorials may be directed to Mount Rushmore Society and BHSU Foundation.