William "Bill" Harry Bentz

Bill Bentz Is Killed in Car Crash Near Lusk Friday Night

William Bentz, 32, of Lusk was killed instantly at 10:15 Friday night when the 1956 Chevrolet he was driving left Highway 85 about a quarter of a mile south of Lusk. The Highway Patrol said he was apparently traveling at a high rate of speed. He was alone.

The car was northbound, left the highway on the east side and after hitting a dirt abutment, became airborne for a distance before crashing to the ground nose first and rolling end for end. Bentz was evidently thrown from the car and it rolled over him. The car was equipped with safety belts, but they were not in use.

Officers said that earlier in the evening Bentz had been asked to leave the Spencer Hospital where he was causing a disturbance and the Lusk Police were called. He left the hospital before the Police arrived and evidently went south for a few miles, turned around, in a location found by the Highway Patrol, and started back toward Lusk, but never made it alive.

Bentz Funeral Is Held Monday
Funeral services for William Bentz, 32, who was killed in a car accident near Lusk Friday, were held from the Peet Chapel Monday.

The Rev. Roger Koen, minister of the First Baptist church, officiated. Burial was in Winner, S. Dak.

Mrs. Edna DeCastro was organist, Mrs. Emerson Bonner and Mrs. Lyle Eddy sang, "God Will Take Care of You" and "Abide with Me".

William Harry Bentz was born at Bonesteel, S. Dak., April 2, 1931. He attended school at Winner and served with the armed forces from 1952 until 1954.

He is survived by his wife, Janis; three sons, Richard Allen, 8, James Lee, 7, and Daniel Dean, 5; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Bentz of Winner; his grandmother, Mrs. Amelia Volsteadt of Burke, S. Dak.; two sisters, Lillian of Winner and Esther of Rapid city; two brothers Harold of Winner and Robert of Wagner, S. Dak.

Members of the American Legion attended the services in a body.

Obituary
William Bentz, son of Rudolph and Barbara Bentz, was born April 2, 1931 in Bonesteel, South Dakota.

Mr.Bentz was married to the former Janis Rhoades of Winner. He was killed instantly in an automobile accident in Niobrara county near Lusk, Wy on Nov, 15, 1963. He leaves three sons; Richard, eight James, six, and Danny, five.

He was a mechanic for the International Garage in Lusk, at the time of his death. He was a veteran of the Korean War. In addition to his wife and three sons, he is survived by two brothers; Harold of Winner and Robert of Wagner; two sisters; Lillian of Winner and Esther of Rapid City and his parents.

Services were observed in Lusk Monday, and the Winner Christian Church on Tuesday afternoon. The Rev. W. I. Snook officiating. Interment was in the Winner cemetery.

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