William Day
April 5, 1925 ~ April 10, 2013
William Daniel Day, 88, Fargo, formerly of New Rockford, ND passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at Eventide Nursing Home, Moorhead.
William Day was born April 5, 1925 in New Rockford, ND to Warren and Elizabeth (O’Keefe) Day. He grew up and attended St. James Academy in New Rockford. William enlisted in the Army in 1943 serving in North Africa and Italy. He was honorably discharged and returned to New Rockford and then moved to Fargo. He attended NDSU where he received degrees in Math and Ag Economics. He was recalled into the Army where he served in Fort Collins, CO before being transferred to Fort Benning. While in Fort Benning he trained soldiers for Korea. William D. Day and Anna Mae Helms were married September 6, 1948 in New Rockford. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1952 and taught for a time in Ashley. William joined Great American Insurance, now American Financial, in 1952. He retired in 1990.
He loved to play cards, especially Bridge. William enjoyed hunting, especially pheasants and loved to travel. He was known as the “king of projects.” William was a charter member of Nativity Catholic Church and was very active in the church community.
He is survived by his children, Debbie Sabin, Fort Collins, CO, Denise (Ken) Klemisch, West Fargo, ND, Gerry (Susan) Day, Helena, MT, Mary (Steven) Stalboerger, Moorhead, MN, Brian (Yvonne) Day, Bismarck, ND, Teresa (Bob) Koch, Marcola, OR, Shannon (Don) Myhre, Columbia Heights, MN; sisters, Marge Arntson, New Rockford, ND, Lucille Nathan, Minot, ND; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie; parents; brothers Emmett, Edwin, Jack, Gerald; sister Betty Akin; grandchildren Jonathan Day, Brian Kahl, Justin Watterson.
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Bill was a resident at Edgewood Vista where my Grandma resides and boy did we enjoy our visits with him! He absolutely LOVED to see my 3-year-old daughter come through the door. The last time we saw Bill we were all enjoying a beautiful day out on the patio. He danced around and around with Brooklyn and I couldn’t tell which of the two loved it more. Bill was such a kind soul and my whole family will miss him. Rest in peace, Wild Bill!
Detroit Lakes MN
Dear Day Family,
I was sad to hear about your loss. My fondest memories of your Dad was how he would sing “poor little Robyn” every time he saw me. I remember all of you like it was yesterday. Both my mother and I send our deepest sympathies to all of you.
Yankton SDDear Family of Bill Day,
I had the pleasure of working with Bill at Great American. He taught me the “ropes” of the trade.We had many good times in your back yard at the annual adjusters meeting for ND
, SD, and MN
, especially the horseshoe contests for which he had made many nice awards which I still have hanging on my wall! Two sayings I still remember:karfarching (which I don’t what it means) and seven days without spaghetti makes one week!! A great guy and a great American. Our love and prayers are with you.
Santa Rosa CADear Shannon and family,
I remember your Dad as having a great sense of humor and that your family was very close. May you find solace and support in each other. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Beth & family
Moorhead MN
To the Family of Bill Day:
My son, Alec, is a second grade student in Moorhead. His teacher, Mrs. Stroh, took her students to Eventide to visit the residents there. Alec was “assigned” to Bill and he really enjoyed reading to him as Bill was non-judgemental. Alec liked him a lot and he told me that he will miss him. He told me that Bill was always funny and nice to him.
I think it is wonderful that my son was able to meet Bill. I hope it is somewhat comforting to know that he brought joy into a seven-year old’s life. Thank you and I am thankful for Bill. If I’d have known how much my child thought of him while he was living, I’d have sought him out to thank him personally.
Moorhead MN
To the family of Bill: just wanted to express my sympathy at the loss of your father. In the 80’s I had the opportunity to work with Bill at Great American–he was an amazing gentleman to work with and be around.
He was a proud father and an overall great person.
I hope your good memories help you through this sad time.
Julie
Hello Teresa,
I am truly sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I hope good memories are a strong for you and family.
Gary Fischer
Santa Clarita CaliforniaUncle Bill was so wonderful. His sense of humor was legendary, and he would have us laughing within minutes of being with him. We wish we could have spent more time with him, but are forever grateful for the times we had. I am just so glad that Tad got to know him too. He of course loved him from the moment he met him.
Our thoughts have been with you all over the last week. We will forever be grateful for the memories we have of Uncle Bill and have no doubt that he is smiling down on you all in heaven with Aunt Ann by his side–with that little twinkle in his eye.
Fargo ND
Dear families: I have wonderful memories of you dad, Wild Bill. My best memory of him when we walked together in the hallways and outside. I want to let you know I still use one of his phrase with other residents.(Yummy for your tummy) my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Tammy Mullen, employee from Glenn’s Place Edgewood Vista
Peoria ILShannon and family, please know of my love and support during this time. May God surround your dad in His arms of peace and light!
Roundup MontanaDear Gerry and Family,
We’re so sorry to hear of your Dads’ passing. Listening to you talk about Bill, I could always tell what love and admiration you had for him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve & Lyn
Springfield VADear Teresa and family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your Dad.
T, I have fond memories of our time together. Your Dad always greated me with the same song, “Maureen, the Dawn is Breaking.” It makes me smile whenever i think about it.
Your Dad was a funny, kind, compassionate, caring, loving man. I know you will miss him, but there will always be fond, warm memories of him.
Love, Rolf and Maureen Ronken
Reno NevadaOur thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Bill Day. We are not relatives but were very good friends of Bill and Ann. Writing a few notes brings up a lot of good memories about Bill. I went to high school with Bill’s brother, Jerry. Bill used to work summers on the farm of my uncle Frank Hitz. When I was in the Air Force stationed at Lockbourne AFB by Columbus, Ohio Bill and Ann had me out to their place for Sunday dinner many times. I really appreciated that then. After my stint in the Air Force I attended ND
SU in Fargo for four years. During this time we often socialized with Bill and Ann. Many years went by and when Ginger and I would go south to Mesa,AZ for the winter, guess what. We found Bill and Ann down there and went out and had a few breakfasts with them. Sort of lost track of them after that. Bill was really a great person and fun to be with. He had a lot of sayings and one that I remember is that it is “liver licking good”. Too bad there aren’t more people like him on this earth. May he rest in peace.
Your family is in our thoughts and Prayers. Our hearts go out to you during this time of sorrow.
St Paul MN
Brian, Vonnie and family we are so sorry to hear about Grandpa Day. Our memories of him are from the lake. His sleeping cap was priceless! He loved to visit, drink from his coffee mug and go on down the zippidy do da trail. He always brought a smile to our face. We are thinking about you all and love you.
West Fargo ND
Dear Brian and family,
I am sorry for your loss of your Father and Grandfather. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Jane DuBord-Hill
My deepest sympathies go out to Uncle Bill’s children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. He was an amazing man who was blessed with lots of love in his life. Know that he is smiling down on all of you with his beautiful Annie by his side.
Reile’s Acres ND
Dear Denise and family,
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I still remember our Shanley time together and sleep overs with delicious home made breakfasts.
God bless,
Teri Hall Smith class of ’69
Round Rock TexasDeb, Denise, Gerry, Mary, Brian, Teresa, & Shannon: I’m very sorry for your loss and hope you’ll find comfort in knowing your dad is at peace and your parents have been reunited again.
Uncle Bill was a GREAT godfather & great uncle, and I will treasure my memories of him. He was a true Irishman with a great smile and laugh–and corny jokes, of course.
My favorite saying of Uncle Bill’s was, “No matter where you go, there you are.” I’ve thought about that saying many times as an adult. I think Uncle Bill meant that no matter where life takes you, you should always retain a sense of who your are and where you came from. You shouldn’t change yourself or do something that goes against your beliefs. You should enjoy life and live it to the fullest, no matter what life throws at you. And if you struggle in unfamiliar situations or during times of hardship, it’s o.k., because you are still you underneath it all. You need to have faith, believe in yourself, and believe that things can only get better.
What great advice! Somehow, Uncle Bill’s quote seems to summarize his positive attitude about life, and I’ll continue to pass this insight on to others as well. Uncle Bill left a great legacy, and he will certainly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time.