"Be good to little kids and old people and you'll always have a friend." -- Willie Lovitt

William "Willie" Rood Lovitt, Spearfish house painter known for running the American Legion roller rink, his strong sense of civic duty and his spotless white paint clothes, died of natural causes January 18, 2020 at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice Veteran's Home in Hot Springs, SD.

Willie was born on August 20, 1926 in a sod house in Grant County, ND to Fred and Sara (Hines) Lovitt. He was raised on a farm with three brothers and three sisters. He grew up working for farmers and ranchers in the area.

Willie didn't hesitate to enlist in the Army at the start of the Korean War in 1950. He served for 19 months, nearly a year of that in Korea, as company point man and driver. He earned the Purple Heart and was one of the few soldier who came back from the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge.

Returning home in 1952, Willie worked for Nehl Construction. In 1959, he met Merlene Zentner. They married August 8, 1960. They moved to Spearfish in April 1962 where they raised three children, Jackie, Joe and Diana. Willie worked for different contractors for three years, then started his own house painting business. When he'd meet them for coffee, Willie's friends would kid him for wearing spotless white painter's coveralls off the job. Willie would say, "Just because I've got a messy job doesn't mean I have to look like a mess."

Willie went to work full-time for North Central Health Services in 1980, painting nursing homes and assisted living units until his retirement in 1988 . He continued occasional freelance work, hanging up his brush after quadruple bypass surgery in 2000.

Willie worked part time for Fidler Funeral Chapel until it was sold to Damon Isburg. Willie continued to work at the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Home part time until 2015.

Many people's most vivid memories of Willie are of him putting up American flags downtown on Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. Willie was very proud of his military service, devoting time to post-service organizations such as the Spearfish VFW, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Graybeards of Rapid City. He served in the American Legion Color Guard for years. Willie was also a member of the Spearfish Volunteer Fire Department for 14 years and participated in the Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where he worshipped for over 56 years.

Willie became friends with nearly every child in Spearfish when he ran the roller skating rink for the American Legion for many years. There wasn't a kid who came up a nickel short at the concession stand that didn't get a free pop or candy thanks to Willie. He enjoyed talking with little children and found some of his greatest joy and service by visiting friends in need, making special efforts to visit those in hospitals and nursing homes.

Willie is survived by his children, Jackie (Bob) Cowger of Upton, WY; Joe (Jenny) Lovitt, Minneapolis, MN; and Diana (Kent) Bendickson, Spearfish. He is also survived by Merlene Sautner, Whitewood, SD; and his grandchildren, Chad (Elizabeth); Tara, Eben and Maxx Cowger; Ian and James Lovitt; and Ashley Gudgel, Amanda and Trevor Gudgel; Krista Morris; and ten beloved great-grandchildren.

Willie is also survived by sister Violet Wenck; brother Duane Lovitt; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Sara Lovitt; two sisters, Faye Brown and Addie Wiedemann; two brothers, Clyde and Fred Lovitt; and a grandson, Nathan Cowger.

Visitation will be from 5-6:30 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. Vigil will follow at 6:30 PM.   Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 24 at the church. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery with full military rites by the Spearfish Honor Guard, the American Legion and the US Army.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com