William “Jeff” Christie, II, 81, of Spirit Lake, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Services for Jeff will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Jeff was born on December 31, 1943, to William J. and Bertha (Parsons) Christie in Hays, Kansas. Jeff enlisted in the US Air Force in 1967. During his 26 years of military service, Jeff did two tours of service in Germany and a tour in Vietnam. During that time he was awarded the Legion of Merit Award, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Air Force Overseas Tour Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Longevity Service Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with a Palm, He earned his Law Degree while in the service and served for 24 years as a Judge Advocate General (JAG). He was honorably discharged with the rank of Colonel in 1993.
Jeff was united in marriage to Bernadette Gales on December 21, 1968, at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. In his free time Jeff enjoyed hunting, skeet shooting, fishing, boating on Okoboji and traveling with Bernadette.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bernadette Christie of Spirit Lake, IA, extended family, friends and his military community of Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son William J. Christie, III.