William Wakeland

William “Bill” Edwin Wakeland was born June 3, 1945, in Methuen, Mass., to Wee and Nora (Pacheco) Wakeland. He was the oldest of three children.
Bill graduated from Quincy Jr./Sr. High School in 1963 (the same year he had his first child and the same year his beloved Terry was born). He attended several different junior and city colleges and finally settled at Northwest. In 1968 Bill completed an apprenticeship as a roofer and insulator. Bill married the mother of his second and third born children. They later divorced.
Bill was never satisfied with his career paths so he became a woodworker and co-owner of a waterbed company. He taught himself how to turn wood on a lathe and became a master woodturner. With an eye for details and artistry he made a name for himself and became the owner of A-Z Automatic Woodturning in Stockton, Calif. Bill raised his two youngest children in the midst of building A-Z. He then bought Tap Associates and most recently The Leatherworks Products. A-Z was his pride and joy over a 40-year span.
After a 37-year friendship Bill married his beloved soulmate, Theresa (Terry) Andresen Aug. 23, 2003. (Notice his time of passing was 8:23) Way to go babe!
Bill and Terry worked side by side since 2000. He taught her a lot of tricks of the trade of woodworking.
In 2005, Bill bought a motorcycle and Terry, being familiar with Sturgis, brought him to South Dakota for the first of many times. They fell in love with the Black Hills, sold Taps, closed A-Z and moved to Custer, S.D., in 2010. Bill said, “here I feel I’m home.”
Bill was baptized in April of 1947 and confirmed into the Catholic faith in 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where his love of the Lord flourished with the help and love of his cherished friends, Deacon Pat Coy, Don Kistler and his men’s prayer group. He loved each and every one of you.
Bill and Terry became very active at St. John’s and delivering Meals on Wheels. Bill made the baptismal font, the deacon’s chair and table, the book holder and redid the kneelers in St. John’s. Those are just a few of the few things he used his master woodworking skills for. He retired in 2008.
Bill and Terry were avid hikers and fisher people. He also loved hockey and enjoyed ice skating on the frozen lakes, kayaking, playing with their dog, Sevilla, horse, Rancher and cat, Woody. Bill loved tinkering in the garage and spending time with the grandkids, especially Brady of Custer.
Bill will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was honest, loyal, dependable, accomplished, dedicated, ethical, hardworking, passionate and talented.
Bill died July 17, 2022. He was 77.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Wee and Nora and nephew, Garrett.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Terry Wakeland of Custer; daughter, Carol of California; son, Shane of New Hampshire; daughter, Willow of New Hampshire; stepdaughter, Brandy of Rhode Island; stepdaughter, Ashley of Custer; brother, Richard; sister, Donna; 11 grandchildren and two-great grandchildren.
A Wake with Rosary services was July 22 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Custer with Deacon Pat Coy as celebrant.
Mass of Christian Burial was July 23 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Custer with Fr. Collins as celebrant and Fr. Matthew Fallgren as concelebrant.
Arrangements have been placed under the local direction of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.