William "Scott" Randolph, age 61, died Monday, September 8, 2014, at the Belle Fourche Health Care Community center where he had been a resident since April 1, 2014. Scott suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2005 and courageously maintained his health and lifestyle as best he could while dealing with this disability. He had been in hospice care prior to his death. Scott is survived by his wife of 23 years, Donna Randolph, his son Adrian (Cathyann) Hahn, two granddaughters, Edison and Dorian Hahn, and his cousin, Elny Scott. Scott's body was cremated and there will be no funeral. There may be a memorial service at a later date.

Scott enjoyed living in Deadwood and had been a resident since 1985. Prior to his injury he worked at Seaton Publishing for ten years as a reporter; but Scott was more than a reporter, he was a journalist. He sincerely believed in the duty of the press to find the truth, tell the truth, and write the truth. He never revealed his sources. He never broke confidentiality. He was resolute in his belief that it was his responsibility to reflect information to the reading public so they could form well-reasoned opinions
about their government and community. He wrote heart-felt and sensitive columns, especially those honoring deceased community members. He wrote from his home office in the front of his house. When the side window was open it signaled not only a need for fresh air, but an invitation to stop by and chat. Always a night owl, Scott joked he was going to start a coffee business and sell lattes at midnight from his window.

Scott had been a volunteer fireman in the Deadwood Volunteer Fire Department from 1985 until 2005 when he could no longer participate because of his disability. During his years of service he was named Firefighter of the Year and also served as president for a term. He was also a wild-land fire fighter and, by example, influenced his son, Adrian, to become the same.

One of Scott's most cherished activities was coaching Deadwood Middle School football and wrestling.
He believed team sports provided a good foundation for young men to learn team work, integrity, perseverance, and self-discipline. His theory of coaching involved providing ways for a player to win, because, he said, winning did not have to occur at the expense of others; winning at its' best was setting, then meeting, inner standards and goals.

Prior to the days of gaming when Deadwood was continually struggling financially, Scott brought volunteerism to a new level. The Days of ' 76 rodeo grounds grandstand became a focus of Scott's formidable energy when he was foreman of the Deadwood Parks Department. When a citizen was injured due to a fall from the grandstands, Scott and a group of volunteers, with an almost non-existent budget, fortified the grandstand just in time for the rodeo. Scott also arranged a partnership with Black Hills Special Services Co-op in which co-op youth received job training in exchange for their work in the Deadwood Parks Department.

Scott was also a member of the Lawrence County Planning and Zoning Commission and participated in creating the county Comprehensive Plan.

When legalized gaming came to Deadwood, Scott was hired as general manager of the Calamity Jane casino but left this position to work for Seaton Publishing.

Despite his out-going personality, Scott was a deeply private man. He was a talented musician, photographer, writer, and complex thinker. He was a passionate man with a respect for precise written and spoken communication, yet who could also tell really corny jokes. He had an incredible sense of humor and loved the ironic. His wish, if he won the lottery, was to create a ranch for unwanted, abandoned animals where they could live their lives in joyous safety. He was generous and giving, modestly keeping his gifts to others quiet, assuming no credit. He believed in looking for, and doing, the right thing, in making considerate choices, keeping his word, and in being a gentleman.

He will be missed.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com