William L. Dubes

William L. Dubes, 88, Bismarck, died Monday, January 30, 2012, at Medcenter One Hospital, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, February 9, 2012, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. William was born October 10, 1923, in Sioux City, IA, the son of Wililam and Mae (Westlund) Dubes. He graduated from Aberdeen, SD, High School in 1941, attended the University of South Dakota, Morningside College, after military service, for his undergraduate degree, and received his Master's degree from the University of Montana. He served in World War II with the 511th parachute infantry of the 11th Airborne in New Guinea, Leyte, Luzan-Manila, and as part of the initial occupation of Japan from 1942 to December 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with three bronze battle stars, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Philippine Liberation Medal, as well as campaign ribbons for the Pacific Theatre. He was a member of the championship regimental boxing team while overseas and received an honorable discharge with the rank of 1st Sergeant. He married Patricia Stutenroth in Mobridge, SD, in August 1947. He taught and was assistant coach there for seven years; was employed with Mobil Oil Co. for three years, and continued his career in education with Bismarck High School as a history teacher from 1959 through 1986, including a 11-year tenure as head football coach. He was selected ND High School football coach of the year in 1970. He loved hunting in the Dakota's up into his 70s. He enjoyed participating in sports in high school and college, continued with baseball and fast-pitch softball as a young adult, started golf in his middle years, becoming a devoted golfer, belonging for many years as a member of Riverwood Golf Assoc. and serving a term as association president. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, the 511th PIR Assoc, VFW, American Legion and Elks Lodge. He leaves his wife of 64 years, Patricia Dubes, Bismarck; one daughter, Ann Laib, Phoenix, AZ; grandson, Max (Brittany) Hanson and great grandson, Zachary, Phoenix, AZ; and his granddaughter, Megan Laib, Los Angeles, CA. Also surviving are a sister, Jayne (Burt) Nixon and family, Norfolk, NE; and his sister-in-law, Barbara Stutenroth, Aberdeen, SD. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Margaret Louise Dubes; his son-in-law, Jeff Laib and his parents.