Gene Timperley, age 61, of 154 Dakota Ave. S., Huron, SD, died Thursday, July 23, 2009, at the Huron Regional Medical Center.

His funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Welter Funeral Home with burial at Riverside Cemetery and Military Rites by the Huron Veterans Council.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 1-8 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home and Wednesday morning one hour prior to the service.

Gary Gene Timperley, son of Lee and Emily Timperley, was born on September 8, 1947, in Santa Monica, CA. When he was 9 years old, he moved with his family to Pleasant Valley, MT, where he attended country school. They returned to California where Gene resumed his schooling graduated from Venice High School in 1965.

He served in the U.S. Navy during 3 separate enlistments: June 14, 1966-July 5, 1968; May 8, 1972-February 7, 1974; March 8, 1974-November 3, 1976, when he was honorably discharged. He served aboard ship in the waters of Vietnam during his second enlistment.

After his discharge, he moved to Oxnard, CA. Over the years, Gene had been married to Sharon Johnson, Helen Hoffman, and Patti Waye.

Gene had been interested in music almost all of his life, singing and playing both drums and guitar. He played guitar/drums with The Ventures for 1 year when they had a musical contract with Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. He was also member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, for 6 years where he was a supporting musician who played numerous times on stage supporting other bands. Gene was also the drummer for Merle Haggards band for a several years, and he co-wrote several songs with Merle that are included on Merles recordings.

He loved to ride his motorcycle and participated with the A.B.A.T.E. motorcycle group many times raising money for childrens causes. He also had composed several songs that were used in the advertising efforts of the Missing Childrens Organization.

In 1979, he moved to Iroquois, SD, where his mother was living. During this time, Gene and his wife owned/operated the Watertown Monument business in Huron. In 1982, he moved to Huron and continued to operate the business, He then worked for several years for the Daily Plainsman newspaper in Huron until poor health forced his retirement.

He is survived by 4 children, Emily (Joseph) Dykstra of Lennox, SD, Christi (Shaun) Dwyer of Sioux Falls, SD, Mark Timperley of Denver, CO, and Paul Timperley of Sunnyside, CA; 7 grandchildren, Mason Dykstra, Abby Dykstra, Jacob Dwyer, Caitlyn Dwyer, Brenna Dwyer, Emmaline Dwyer, and Jayden Timperley; 1 brother, Darrell Timperley of Arlington, SD; and special friends, Pauline and Bob Geranen of Huron.

He was preceded in death by 1 son, Steven Timperley; 1 sister, Betty Bradley; 1 brother-in-law, Ivan Bradley; and 1 brother, James Timperley.