1954
William
2024
William "Bill" Pollard, Jr.
May 4, 1954 — March 10, 2024
A memorial service will be held in Aberdeen at a date and time yet to be determined and another in Oklahoma.
Bill was born to Toshi (Yoshiyoka) and William Hoyt Pollard Senior on 5/4/54 in Osaka Japan where his Father was serving as an MP in the Army. As a child, he also spent time in Germany before his Father was stationed in Lawton, Oklahoma when Bill was in 4th Grade. Bill was heavily involved in Sports in Lawton playing Football and Baseball. He graduated from Lawton High School and went on to attend Cameron University for a time. Bill saved his money and eventually bought his drag car a gun metal grey 1969 Roadrunner. He married Janice (Riddle) in December 1975. As a result of that union, he has two daughters Stephany Pollard Zephier and Josie Pollard. They were divorced in 1982. Bill worked most of his adult life in Oklahoma as a mechanic. He was a big fan of the Oklahoma Sooners, which was reflected in his OU room and memorabilia. He attended games whenever he could. A highlight for him, later in life, was when he got to golf with Bob Stoops and Josh Heupel in Aberdeen.
Bill met Lola (Lawrenson/Shotts) Pollard in 1985 in Lawton where he continued to pursue another passion of his – Softball. He relocated to South Dakota in 1987 where the couple initially lived in Volga. They were married at McCrory Gardens in Brookings, SD in 1992. Bill moved with Lola to Wisconsin while she attended school and then they returned to SD settling in Faulkton. There the couple had two children Pryce Pollard his “boysan” and Rita Pollard. Bill became an EMT and worked for the local ambulance service. He fell in love with the job and went on to get his Paramedic degree and then to work with Careflight. The family moved in Webster in 2001 and he continued to work with Careflight. He flew with Careflight for nearly 20 years. He moved to Aberdeen in 2010 and was divorced in 2017. Living full time in Aberdeen after he retired from flying he continued to work as a paramedic with Aberdeen Ambulance. While working for St. Lukes Bill was recognized for the lives, he saved in the more than 1,000 flights he went on.
Bill’s greatest source of pride is his family where he was better known as Dad, Daddy, Papa or Papa Bill to his children, grandchildren and Great grandchildren. He took every chance he got to brag about his kids and his dog Baker (after Mayfield of course). During his stay at Avera McKennan, many people who previously worked with Bill and considered him a friend came and shared stories and memories of Bill which really helped his family through a difficult time and whose support was greatly appreciated.
Bill was preceded in death by his Father William Hoyt Pollard, Sr, his Mother Toshi Pollard, Sisters Christine Fox, Shirley Oliver and Tomiko Pollard. He is survived by his Brother Lonnie Pollard, Children Stephany (Jared) Zephier, Josie Pollard, Pryce Pollard and Rita Pollard, his grandchildren Shayla Carter, Sage Zephier, Reese Zephier, Taya Zephier and Great Grandchildren Bentley Drawbaugh and Sophie Pollard and several nieces and nephews.
The family would also like to remember the lives that were lost when the Careflight Helicopter September 9, 2002 Gail Hauck, Masaki Suzuki, and Andrew Wiley who gave the ultimate sacrifice in their pursuit to help others.
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