Billie Sutton Memorial Scholarship

The Billie Sutton Memorial Scholarship was established by Ruth Sutton in memory of her husband, Billie, and his accomplishments.  Billie Harmon Sutton was born at Linn Grove, Iowa, graduated from Bonesteel (SD) High School and attended SDSC for one year before starting his ranching operation in Gregory County.  He continued his farm and ranch operations for over 40 years and retired in 1982.  Sutton was an active 4-H leader, served as chairman of the Leader's Association for 11 years and was director of the SD Chamber of Commerce for three years.  He also held positions of president of the SD High School Rodeo Association, director of the Federal Land Bank Board, and a director and charter member of the SD Cowboy and Western Heritage Hall of Fame.  He served as a member of the County Commission from 1957 to 1961 in Gregory County, and in 1973, he was elected to the SD State Senate, serving in that body for three terms.  While a member of the Senate,  he organized the repeal of the personal property tax and impacted water development in the state.  He was the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor in 1978 and a delegate to the party’s national convention in 1980.