Bill “Billy” Besch was born in Warren, MN to Anna and Earl Besch. He spent his early years growing up in Thief River Falls, Minnesota until 1976 when he moved & settled in Seattle, WA. Bill would spend time traveling between the two until moving back to Thief River Falls once more in 2019 until his passing.
Bill graduated from High School class of ‘69. He entered the Armed Services in 1969 (alongside his late brother Bobby) and after returning home from Vietnam in 1970, Bill studied and graduated from Northland Community Technical College in welding. He trained to be a drywall taper in the construction industry and was a working member of the Painters Local Union 300 until he retired in 2007. Bill took great pride in his work and during his working years could often be spotted on stilts or with paint on his work clothes.
Bill has 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren. In 1972, Bill had his first daughter, Tonya Eidsmoe with Nina Sampson (Bemidji). In 1987, Bill married Vienna Waale (Thief River Falls), and they had two daughters together in 1988 and 1990, Bebe and Shayna Besch. Bill was a fun-loving father for many years and reconnected with daughter Tonya later on in life which brought him tremendous joy. He loved his daughters and family more than anything.
Bill’s passions included the love of all types of music, but specifically rock & roll. Some of his favorite artists included Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, John Fogerty, John Prine and Cat Stevens, just to name a few, among countless others. Bill loved playing sports. His favorite being tennis which he played his entire adult life until the last few years, due to a shoulder injury. He enjoyed teaching tennis to his daughters and anyone else who was eager to learn. He regularly gave away tennis rackets to anyone that needed one. Bill was an avid reader and thoroughly enjoyed reading about history and politics. Some of his favorite authors included Noam Chomsky and J.R.R Tolkien. Bill was a lover of animals, more specifically dogs – his very best friends, and he always had a constant companion. Bill’s dog Sky was with him while he passed.
We envision Bill running around with all of his beloved pets and playing tennis in a better place where he is at peace, and no longer tied to earthly boundaries. He was a kind and generous soul who would help anyone in need whenever he could. Others often remember him as “always smiling, always laughing”. Bill had a great sense of humor, boundless energy, and a smile that will always be remembered. His zany quirks and compassionate heart will be missed dearly by all that knew him.
Bill is survived by 3 children; Tonya Eidsmoe (Grand Forks, ND), Bebe Besch (Seattle, WA), and Shayna Besch (Seattle, WA), 4 Grandchildren; Corey, Jordan, Taylor, and Quetita Staples, Former wife: Vienna Waale (Seattle, WA), 4 sisters; Mavis (Larry) Martinson (Thief River Falls, MN), Marilyn Chalich (Minneapolis, MN), Michelle (Paul) Malmanger (Fargo, ND), Yvonne Hall (Blue Springs, MO), 1 brother: Gene Sletten (Thief River Falls, MN), 4 nephews; Kelly and Keith (Colleen) Martinson, Luke (Dakota) Chalich, and John Hall, 4 nieces; Brittany (Nathan) Shubert, Chelsey Swanson, Shelby and Emily Malmanger, and many grand nieces/nephews, relatives and friends.
Bill is preceded in death by:
Mother: Anna (Abrahamson) Sletten (Thief River Falls), Father: Earl Besch (Elk River), Brother: Robert Dean Besch (Thief River Falls), Niece: Tammi Myers (Elk River), Nephew: Adam Chalich (Elk River), and Grandson: August Ainsworth (Seattle, WA).
Due to Covid-19 concerns, memorial service for William (Bill) Besch will presumably be held in Spring/Summer 2021. We will post information as soon as it becomes available.
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William “Bill” Earl Besch, 69
