William (Bill) Anderson was born on April 27th, 1924 to Theodore and Elsie (Maier) Anderson.
Bill was born in Barnes County, but during his childhood years, his family moved to Tennessee where he spent the majority of his childhood living, picking cotton, and discovering his love for country music. In December of 1942, at the age of 18, Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps where he obtained the rank of staff sergeant and specialized as an Aviation Ordinance Chief.
On July 18th, 1947, Bill married Eleanor Krause. During the first few years of marriage and while still active in the service, Bill and Eleanor lived in both Santa Ana, California and Aurora, Colorado. On February 25th, 1948, they welcomed their daughter Kathy into the world. In May of 1951, Bill was discharged from the Marines. Soon after, the family moved to the Valley City area.
Prior to their permanent move to Valley City, Bill had accepted a position through the North Dakota State Highway Department where he remained working for 41 years, retiring in April of 1989. He sang and played guitar nearly all of his life and especially took delight in performing with his daughter in churches and local clubs. He was a member of the VFW, Eagles Club, and American Legion. Bill was an avid hunter of North Dakota wildlife and had fun going on many snowmobiling adventures throughout the winter months. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
On Saturday, November 17th, at the age of 94, Bill passed away peacefully and went to his eternal home. He is survived by his wife Eleanor of 71 years; daughter Kathy (Rick) Hoefs of Valley City; Granddaughters: Michelle (Bill) Carlblom of Valley City; Jen (Nick) Morical of Bloomington, MN; Great-grandchilren: Cody (Taylor) Carlblom of Valley City; Jessica (Brice) Kuska of Litchville; Tyler, Gabbi, and Bryce Morical of Bloomington, MN; and three great-great grandchildren: Landon and Jensen Carlblom; Braxton Kuska. He is also survived by his two sisters, Ethel Erickson of Texas and Lola Conley of Jamestown. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Wiley and Lloyd Anderson and two sisters Evelyn Johnson and Mary Pederson.
A funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley City, ND on Wednesday, November 21st at 10:30 am. The burial ceremony will take place in Mandan at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 3 pm. The Lerud-Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Bill’s family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com