Harry "Bill" Gibbons passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on August 18, 2020. Bill was born to Harry and Beatrice Gibbons in Lemmon, South Dakota on August 31, 1928. He attended the Lemmon Public School System and graduated in 1947. While in high school, Bill was a 4 year letterman in football, basketball, and track.

Following graduation, Bill attended Northern State College (1947-48) and South Dakota State College (1948-51) where he majored in physical education, with minors in history and science. Bill was a member of SDSU's championship football teams of 1949 and 1950, and also earned letters in wrestling and track while obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree.

Bill was drafted by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League, and then traded to the Detroit Lions where he attended 6 weeks of training camp before being drafted and inducted into the Armed Services. After infantry training at Fort Knox and advanced infantry training at Fort Benning, Bill was deployed to Korea where he participated in many important battles including Porkchop Hill, Old Baldy, and Hill 200. He was awarded two purple hearts and earned the Combat Infantry Badge before being honorably discharged on October 19, 1953.

Upon his return to the United States, Bill taught math and physical education at Hallock High School (1954) and chemistry, physics, and American Government at Gregory High School (1954-58). Bill continued his education at SDSU and Florida State University during the summer months and received a Master of Education degree from SDSU in 1957. In 1958 he was hired by the Brookings School System, where he taught American Government and physical education, and developed an innovative physical education program. He also designed and constructed an Outdoor Project Adventure course which was dedicated to him in 1978. During his 36 years of educating high school students, Bill practiced a very basic and effective approach to teaching. "My philosophy is that I want to challenge each student to go beyond the physical and mental limitations they have set for themselves. I believe that this type of perspective will allow each student to develop greater self-confidence so that they might overcome the difficult situations they will encounter in life." He was named Teacher of the Year in the Brookings School District (1979, 1985, and 1989) and South Dakota Outstanding Physical Education Teacher in 1989-1990.

Throughout his teaching career Bill coached football, wrestling, and track. He started the wrestling program at BHS in 1964, and his 1967 team was undefeated and won ESD Conference and State titles. He subsequently continued as an assistant coach, with teams winning State Championships in 1969, 1979, and 1989. Bill was also Director of the Intramural Program at BHS for 32 years. Bill frequently served as a counselor, listener, and friend to many troubled students. It was common to see students waiting to talk to him before and after classes, and no matter how busy he was he always took the time to listen to their concerns and try to help. In 1986 he was awarded the Governor's Outstanding Citizen award for rescuing a BHS student from drowning.

Bill was active in community affairs, being a member of the Brookings County CPR Committee, the Brookings Swimming Pool Committee, and the Brookings Area Betterment Committee. He was an active church member and was a member of the American Legion and the Masons. Bill and Shirley were also active in the local "Meals on Wheels" program which delivers meals to the elderly and house-bound.

He is survived by his wife Shirley of 64 years; his son William (Jeanette) and their children Dustin (Lisa), Jaimie, and Spencer of Brookings; his daughter Kimberly (Mark Elder) and their children Gib and Lizzy of Rapid City; two great grandchildren (Hayden and Jayda Gibbons); and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Harold, Robert (Bob), and Fred.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Peace Lutheran Early Childhood Center ( www.peacebrookings.org ), 1104 22nd Ave S, Brookings, SD, 57006.

Private family services were held.