William Sheridan Ohnemus, Jr., 84 of Spearfish, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Fort Meade Veterans Medical Center.

Bill was born on August 5, 1931 in Barrington, IL to William Sheridan Ohnemus, Sr. and Hildegarde (Herrmann) Ohnemus. He attended elementary school at St. Joseph Catholic School in Homewood, Illinois through the 8th grade. In 1949, he graduated from Thorton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois.

He enrolled at Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, from 1949-1951. In December 1951 he enlisted in the US Navy and served on the USS Odax submarine for his entire four year career, receiving an honorable discharge in 1955. He returned to Black Hills State College the fall of 1956 graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree. While in college he participated in football and track, running on several winning relay teams.

In 1958, he married Patricia (Lewis) Ohnemus at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. He taught math at Lead High School in 1958-59 and went to work for the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Fish Hatcheries in 1959. His work as a Fisheries Biologist took he and his family to Michigan, New York, Iowa Nebraska, North Dakota and finally back to McNenny National Fish Hatchery in Spearfish. He loved raising fish and working with all of his co-workers. He retired from the Fish and Wildlife Service in 1983 and took a job as a maintenance man at St Joseph Church for the next eleven years, finally retiring in 1994. He was a member of St. Joseph Church and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.

Bill had many hobbies throughout his lifetime, finishing gunstocks, riding and working on motorcycles, building furniture, making wooden bowls and playing golf. He is known for his quick wit and knowledge of just about anything and everything. He loved his family most of all. He loved to laugh and not be too serious.

Bill is survived by his wife, Patti; his daughter, Mary Ellen; sons, William (Lucy) and Daniel Patrick (Jeanne); his grandchildren, Tim, Rhianna, James, Aidan and Ceili Ohnemus; his sister, Rosemary(John) Brown; brother-in-law, Robert Lewis and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister in-law, Robert and Marilyn Mundahl and sister-in-law, Helen Lewis.

Vigil will be at 7PM on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. Memorial Mass will be at 10 AM on Friday, March 11 at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to benefit St. Joseph Catholic Church and Ft. Meade Hospice.

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