Bill was born November 5, 1943, in Niagara Falls, New York to Arthur and Alice (Harrigan) Muldoon. He grew up in Niagara Falls and graduated from LaSalle High School. He graduated from the University of Buffalo in Buffalo, NY. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany. After his military service, he attended the University of North Dakota (UND) School of Law and graduated with a juris doctor in 1971. He married Janet Goodman on December 30, 1971.
Bill was self-employed for over 50 years at Muldoon Law Office located in Red Lake Falls. During his law career, he was the city attorney for the City of Red Lake Falls, for 30 years. His primary area of law was preparing real estate title opinions for the State of Minnesota and area banks. He was legal counsel in establishing the Minnesota Wheat Growers and the Minnesota Wheat Council in Red Lake Falls. He was also recognized for 25 years of legal services to Northwest Minnesota by giving low-income and elderly citizens access to legal representation. He loved the practice of law and never retired.
Bill also enjoyed being involved in the community. He was named Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Red Lake Falls Future Farmers of America in 1987. He served on the Economic Development Commission for Northwestern Minnesota. He was a committed supporter of the UND Alumni Association and also served on the advisory board. Bill was a 20-year member of the Red Lake Falls Volunteer Fire Department. He was active in the Lions Club and was presented the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for his dedication to the humanitarian services.
Bill’s favorite pastime was watching his children play sports. He read multiple newspapers every day. He enjoyed going on road trips with his wife and family. He loved attending community events and parades. He truly enjoyed the simple things in life such as washing cars, watching baseball, painting the house and mowing the lawn. He was quite the story-teller and always had a smile on his face. Everyone enjoyed his humor and his ability to make people laugh.
Bill was a dedicated husband and father — a true family man. He balanced work and family time by using his time wisely while at work, producing fair, efficient and quality legal work. Rarely did he miss the extracurricular activities of his children. At these events, he often volunteered, working in concessions or selling raffle tickets for various fundraisers. He greatly appreciated the help of his legal assistants, who worked for him for many years. He was a selfless man; he devoted his time and resources to his family and community.
His final and proudest role was being a grandfather to nine grandchildren born over 11 years. In recent years he enjoyed spending time in Naples, FL with his wife.
Bill is survived by his wife, Janet Muldoon of Nevis; children, Colin (Colleen) Muldoon of Raleigh, NC, Brendan (Madalyn) Muldoon of Fargo, ND, Erin Muldoon Haug of Savannah, GA; grandchildren, Lillian, Olivia and Sophia Muldoon, Emmy, Alice, William and Chelsea Muldoon, Yona and Annika Haug; sister, Barbara Stern of London, England; two godchildren, Loretto Thompson of Niagara Falls, NY and Jill Cazett of Maple Grove.
He is preceded in death by his father, Arthur and Alice Muldoon; and a sister, Carolyn McLaughlin.
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids.
A visitation will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 5–7 p.m. at the Cease Family Funeral Home Chapel in Park Rapids. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.
Internment with military honors will take place on August 3, 2025, at the annual Fjalla Memorial Church Service, Milton, ND.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vasculitis Foundation or your favorite charity in Bill’s memory.
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William Muldoon, 80
