William "Bill" Herman Hitz

Bill Hitz, Long Resident Here, Dies Friday

William Herman "Bill" Hitz, 65, owner and operator of the Independent Refinery here since 1937, died Friday at the Battle Mountain Sanitarium of Hot Springs.

Funeral services were held Monday at the Peet Mortuary with the Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the Congregational Church officiating, and burial was in the Lusk Cemetery. Graveside military honors were conducted by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a firing squad of the National Guard unit. Pallbearers were George Mill, Otto Klemke, O. E. Maxfield, Dan Hanson, Gaylord Anderson, and C. E. Marvin.

Music, "Abide With Me," "What A Friend We Have in Jesus," and "Rock of Ages," was sung by Mrs. A. F. DeCastro and Mrs. Emerson Bonner, with Mrs. J.P. Watson, organist.

Mr. Hitz was born in Germany Jan. 30, 1887 the son of Herman and Maria Hitz. The family came to America when he was 2 and settled in South Dakota in 1889. At the age of 23 he moved to Wyoming where he took up ranching around Lusk and has resided since.

He was called into Army service in May, 1918 and served both at home and abroad. Upon his discharge he returned to Lusk and engaged in ranching on his own place north of Hat Creek.

He entered the refinery business when he purchased the interest of Hugh Best and became a partner of Chris Joss. He later took over the Joss interests for a short time and then sold an interest to Jennings Ruffing who has remained in the business.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and of Wieten-Dupes Post of the American Legion.

Mr. Hitz is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Morgan Haight, Riverton; Mrs. Emerson Himes, Hat Creek; three brothers, Ewald, Herman and Walter, all of Lusk.

Among his nieces and nephew are Marion Shearer, Seymour Snyder, Menlo Snyder, Lyelon Snyder, Marie Frosheiser, Martha Coleman, Esther Forsyth, Ruth Collins, Carlton Paisley, Ruth Lamb, Glory Snowden, Calvin Paisley, Milton HImes, Myrna Himes, Albert Oates, Richard Oates, and William Oates.

Lusk Free Lance
November 6, 1952
William H. "Bill" Hitz Dies at Hot Springs, So. Dak. Friday; Remains are Brought Here for Rites and Burial

Concluding rites were held at two o'clock Monday afternoon, November 3, for the late William Herman "Bill" Hitz who passed away Friday, October 31st at Battle Mountain Sanitarium in Hot Springs, So. Dak., where he had been hospitalized for a number of weeks. His demise was caused by a chronic lung affliction.

Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the Congregational church, officiated at the chapel rites, with the Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4 American Legion, Niobrara Post No. 3511 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Guard in charge of military rites at the cemetery.

During the chapel services Mesdames A. F. DeCastro and Emerson Bonner sang "Abide With Me," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," and "Rock of Ages." Mrs. J. P. Watson presided at the organ.

The remains were borne to their final resting place in the Lusk cemetery by George Mill, Otto Klemke, O. E. Maxfield, Dan Hanson, Gaylord Anderson and C.E. Marvin. At the military service at the cemetery, Rex Yocum sounded taps and Ed Parmely and Ed Morse served as flagmen.

William Herman Hitz was born January 30, 1887 to Herman and Maria Hitz in Germany and passed quietly away at Hot Springs, South Dakota. At the time of his demise he had attained the age of 67 years, 9 months and 1 day.

At the very young age of two years, he came to America with his parents. The family settled in South Dakota in 1889. When he was 23-years of age, he moved to Wyoming where he spent his remaining days.

He spent several days engaged in the farming and ranching business around Lusk until he was called to military service in May, 1918 and served both at home and abroad. Following his discharge, he returned to Lusk and engaged in ranching on his own place north of Hat Creek.

In 1937, he entered into business with the late Chris Joss, at the Independent Refinery, where he made many friends who will long remember him for his kindness, loyalty and fair business dealings.

"Bill", as he was more familiarly known, was a member of the Niobrara Post 3511 Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wieten-Dupes Post NO. 4, American Legion.

Survivors include two sisters Mrs. Morgan Haight of Riverton, Wyo., and Mrs. Emerson Himes of Hat Creek; three brothers, Ewald, Herman and Walter, all of Lusk, and the following nieces and nephews, Marion Shearer, Seymor Snyder, Menlo Snyder, Lyelon Snyder, Mesdames Marie Frosheiser, Martha Coleman, Esther Forsyth and Ruth Collins, Carlton Uaisley, (as printed) Calvin Paisley, Mesdames Ruth Lamb and Gloria Snowden, Miss Myrna Himes, Milton Himes, Albert, Richard and Wm. Oates.

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