William "Bill" C. Well

William “Bill” Clifton Well, 85, died Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Vibra Hospital in Fargo. William Clifton Well was born April 12, 1932 to Harold and Ellen (Hagen) Well in Cavalier, North Dakota.

He attended school in Cavalier and later graduated from North Dakota Agricultural College in 1954 with a B.S. in Agricultural Education. He later returned to receive his M.S in Agriculture & Education from North Dakota State University in 1966. While in college, Bill was a member of the Gold Star Marching Band and Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) fraternity.

Bill served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter crew chief during the German Occupation in Darmstadt, Germany from 1954-1956. He moved to Medina where he taught Vocational Agriculture at Medina High School from 1956-1967, and married Janet Christopher on June 20, 1959. Bill later operated his own business, Bill’s Agri-Service from 1967-1973. Bill taught adult ag education classes at Bismarck Junior College for one year. He worked as an Agriculture Loan Officer for the Bank of Steele, in Steele and Medina, from 1974-1995, retiring as Sr. Vice President and Director of the Bank of Steele. Following retirement, Bill continued to share his passion for education as a substitute teacher at Medina High School; as recently as this past school year.

Bill was a member of English Lutheran Church in Medina, where he served on the church council, choir, and as a Sunday School teacher. He was a member of the Lions Club, American Legion of Medina, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, FFA Alumni Association, National Rifle Association, and Retired Teacher’s Association. Bill also served as a Chairman of the Chase Lake Project, on the advisory board for Central Grasslands Research, and as a Past President of the Upper Midwest Agricultural Credit Council.

Bill enjoyed all aspects of agriculture and outdoor activities. His passions included hunting and fishing with his sons and grandchildren, tending to livestock, farming, teaching, playing cribbage with family, Native American history on the plains, collecting coins, and sharing time and memories with his family and friends. He was also an avid supporter of NDSU athletics and academics.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; sons, Wesley (Patricia) Well, Lisbon, ND, Martin (Lisa) Well, Bismarck, ND, and Russell (Michele) Well, Jamestown, ND; daughter, Sara (Marti) Sunderlin, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Alexander Well and Anna (Bryce) Beckstrand, Allison (Kyle) Sebesta and Katie Well, Christopher and Morgan Well, Maxwell and Isabelle Sunderlin; sister, Ruth Ann (Neil) Schluchter, Cavalier, ND; brother, James (Audrey) Well, Minneapolis, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother.

The visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm immediately followed by the prayer service at 7:00pm, Monday, July 24, 2017 at English Lutheran Church in Medina. The funeral service will be held at 2:00pm at the Medina High School Gymnasium on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. A military burial will follow the service at the Medina Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the English Lutheran Church of Medina building project, the Medina Alumni Scholarship Fund, or Medina FFA Alumni chapter.

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