William "Bill" Mahrt, age 85, of Huron, died Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at Prairie View Care Center in Woonsocket. He was interred with military honors in the Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell in a private ceremony.
William Earl Mahrt was born October 5, 1932, in Wanblee, South Dakota. He grew up in the Chamberlain area and graduated from high school there. William enlisted in the US Army and served for three years. When he was discharged from the Army, he joined the South Dakota Army National Guard, a position he held for thirty years. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer.
William was married to Margaret North on July 16, 1983 in Mitchell. They moved to Huron in 1986.
William's passion was raising and racing horses in numerous events throughout the years in the western United States, including South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado. After his retirement from the National Guard, William started trucking and worked primarily for MCT. He continued to raise horses and enjoyed trail riding along with racing until his health failed.
William is survived by his wife, Margaret of Huron; his children, Robin (Mike) Arbuckle of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Angel (special friend, Tyler Halling) Hutton of Huron, Trina (Keith) Bell of Huron, Mary Anne (special friend, DJ Davis) Mahrt of Virgil, Rosanna (Tayden) Brown of Caputa, South Dakota, Eddie Lewen of Mitchell, and Koby Mahrt of Sioux Falls; three grandchildren, Lorin Schaller, Journey Mahrt and Wyatt Bohanon; two brothers, Gary (Susan) Mahrt of Oacoma, South Dakota and Jerry Mahrt of Mitchell; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Justin Mahrt; a grandson, Kyle Bell; and a sister, Donna Burgess.