William Joseph Altringer, age 70, left this world to be with Jesus on December 13, 2019 at Sanford Palliative Care in Fargo, ND with his family surrounding him after suffering a stroke and several other health issues. The funeral mass for Bill will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sanborn, ND on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 5-7 with a prayer service beginning with the Rosary beginning at 7:00 PM. He will be buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in the spring.
William, aka “Wild Bill” or “Billy Joe”, was born in Valley City, ND on November 23, 1949 to Wilbert and Luella (Amann) Altringer. He attended Eckelson High School, graduating in 1967. Later, he attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND where he obtained his degree as an auto body technician.
Bill married Jeanine Stroh on June 27, 1969. They had four children, Holly, Chad, Melissa, and Jerod. Bill worked as an auto body technician for Mellands, Inc. in Jamestown, ND until 1970 when the family moved to Bismarck, ND where Bill worked as an auto body technician for Nastrom Peterson Body Shop. Later he became shop foreman there. The family moved back to Eckelson in 1975 and ran a gas station, body shop, and auto parts store at the old Scotty Campsite area. In 1995, Bill sold the old business and started his new business, Bill’s Payload, Dozer and Trackhoe service which he continued until his death.
Bill and Jeanine have 11 grandchildren (one deceased) and one great grandchild. Bill loved his family, grandchildren and great grandchild dearly and was always ready to help his family in need with cars or extra cash if needed. He loved camping, fishing, hunting, boating, shooting pool, playing black jack (casinos, of course), playing cards, having morning coffee with his close friends at J&L’s. He had the ability to talk to anyone, even if he had never met them before. He also loved buying/selling cars for extra money and had a very good eye for them. He worked for many of the area farmers with his heavy equipment and knew them all by name and had made many friends that way. He was a very caring, compassionate and loving man and was well liked by all.
He was active in Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Sanborn, ND and taught CCD religion classes, he and his wife, Jeanine, for about 25 years. He had a compassionate, caring spirit and saw the face of God in everyone he met. He was always ready to help someone in need, not asking for money all the time, but treating them as he would like to have been treated if the need arose. He was always giving at a benefit, church function or special need in the community. He had many friends and was much of a jokster, a quick witted individual and could laugh at himself at times (most of the time). He always had a funny story to tell which drew people to him. He was a charismatic individual that way.
Bill had several health issues but was able to get through all of these through his strong faith and belief in God. He will be raised to high esteem in heaven. I bet God will assign him a huge job there.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jeanine; children, Holly (Doug) Retzlaff, Chad (Bridgette) Altringer, and Melissa (Rick) Schermer; daughter-in-law, Jana Altringer; grandchildren, Shana & Hailee Altringer, Bailey, Jacey, Jozey, and Beau Retzlaff, Jayla Schermer, Alexa Chadwick, Emma & Allison Altringer; great granddaughter, Kinzlee Altringer; brothers, Douglas (Patty) Altringer and Paul (Gayle) Amann; sisters, Joni Altringer, Janet (Tom) Lowe and Mary (Rick) Williams; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jerod; grandson, Ethan Chadwick; parents Luella & Dick Amann; brothers, Gary and Louis; and a sister, Rosemary (who died at just ten days old).
The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home is assisting Bill’s family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com