MAPLE GROVE, MN - William James Congdon Jr., affectionately known as Bill, peacefully passed away at his Maple Grove, MN residence on October 25, 2023.

Born in Butte, Montana on May 9, 1942, to William Sr. and Marguerite Congdon, Bill's childhood was filled with outdoor adventures alongside his sister, Lusha, in the picturesque Rocky Mountains.

He pursued higher education at the University of Oregon, where he met his life partner, Rebekah Bradford. In 1966, Bill and Becky exchanged vows in California and embarked on the journey of raising three children in North Dakota.

Bill earned his dental degree from the University of Oregon Dental School in Portland, OR. During the tumultuous era of the Vietnam War, Bill was drafted by the US Public Health Service and served as a dentist at La Tuna Federal Correction Facility in Texas and the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth, MN.

After his dedicated service to the nation, Bill established his first dental practice in Watford City, ND, before relocating with his family to Bismarck, ND.

Bill and Becky jointly owned and operated The Smile Center dental clinic in Bismarck for over 30 years, eventually retiring in 2007. Their love for adventure and exploration led them to thrilling experiences, including whitewater rafting the Colorado River, embarking on an RV journey to the Arctic Circle, hiking the Grand Canyon, and canoeing and camping in the Boundary Waters.

Bill's passions encompassed fly fishing, camping, and traveling the world with Becky. He had a penchant for dad jokes and had a knack for entertaining everyone with his quirky humor and antics.

Bill is survived by his three children and their spouses: David (Gloria), Robert (Tammi), and Kathleen (Jon). He also leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren: Isabelle, Hannah, Andrew, Erica, Marcus, Daniel, Dustin, and Alexander. Bill is also survived by his sister, Lusha Alzner (Don), and his brother-in-law, Bob Bradford (Jan). He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Becky, in 2020.

A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will take place on Monday, October 30th, at 2 pm with visitation one-half hour prior, at Lakewood Cemetery, located at 3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408. For those unable to attend in person, a recording of the service will be accessible on William's obituary page at www.gearty-delmore.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Bismarck Tribune on Oct. 27, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for William Congdon

19 Entries

Ginger

December 18, 2024

Always in my heart and on my mind! Merry Christmas Bill and to all your family!

Ginger

Bev G

December 18, 2024

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. He was my dentist such a caring person.

Randy Lehmann

November 3, 2023

Robert, David, Kathleen and families so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a great guy. I was lucky enough to have him as my dentist but luckier to be able to call him friend as well. Loved spending time with both your folks as you guys were playing hockey in high school. And when I would go in for a visit at the office, they were always so nice and gracious to me and my wife and enjoyed the visits and sometimes we even got some dentistry done. Prayers for your family. He will be sorely missed.

Mazie Stocker Webb

October 31, 2023

Bill and I were friends for as long as I can remember as were our parents. My heart is full of joy got his friendship while growing up in Butte and sadness for our loss.

Hugh Ouellette

October 31, 2023

So sorry to hear about Bills passing. I always enjoyed seeing him at our Butte Hi School class reunions- class of 1960
Wish I had known he was in Minnesota. May Bill RIP

Richard Fockler

October 30, 2023

Bill & Becky were our backyard neighbors and friends from the mid 1970's in Bismarck. Also provided us with great dental care until their retirement. Always enjoyed the company of the Congdons and send our sympathy to the family.
Rich Fockler

Cindy Filipek

October 30, 2023

Cindy Filipek

October 30, 2023

Cindy Filipek

October 30, 2023

Cindy Filipek

October 30, 2023

My heart goes out to the family of Dr. Congdon in hearing of his passing! Dr. Congdon was truly a genuine mentor & friend who would give the shirt off his back to anyone! Such a kind soul & loved to tell us jokes & always put a smile on our face. Just by him being in the room made our day brighter! I am humbled & grateful for having Dr. Congdon as my mentor & friend. You know the saying, " People don´t care what you know, until they know that you care"? Dr. Congdon showed us by actions that he cared, giving us employees chocolate roses on St. Patrick´s day ( he was Irish), sending us to educational classes to better the business & ourselves. They sent me to Dale Carnegie classes to help me become a better speaker & person, sent our families to Medora, proved to us that they truly meant " family first" when kids were sick you should be with them, first day of school ( let us take them to school), etc. I truly could go on & on with the kind, generous actions of Dr. Congdon as he truly was a remarkable Dentist & person! He will be missed by many. These memories I have of him will be cherished forever & never forgotten! A friend Cindy Filipek

Ginger

October 29, 2023

Bill was like a father to me. Even though I was helping him he helped me just as much, in his own ways. I treasure the friendship we had and loved just listening to him recount all his adventures. I so enjoyed seeing him smile from ear to ear and hearing all the mischief he got into as a child. Bill was a very special friend and someone I respected dearly. I´m so glad knowing he is at peace reunited with Becky. I can just imagine all the amazing things they must be doing now. Thank you for all the memories and smiles we shared! I will forever keep you in my heart Bill!

Your friend always,
Ginger

Charlyne Kemmesat

October 29, 2023

I think of him often~ babysitting his children and then working with him for 6 years at the Smile Center~ he had a way of lighting up the dental office and everywhere he went. Prayers for peace for his family!!

Dan and LoAnn Getz

October 29, 2023

Our sympathy goes out to the Congdon family! He was our dentist for many yrs.. A wonderful and caring man! May he R.I.P.

Bev Goehring

October 27, 2023

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Bill was the first dentist, he was a very caring person.

Sarah Mork

October 27, 2023

My sympathy to the Congdon family. I was saddened to read of Bill´s passing. He was our family dentist for many years. He was an excellent dentist & always kind, caring, gentle, & friendly. I miss him to this day & thought of him often.
May the Congdon family find comfort in the wonderful memories of this kind man!

Sylvia Schmid

October 27, 2023

We were blessed to have Dr. Congdon as our dentist the entire time he practiced in Bismarck. Professionally he was so skilled and thorough as a dentist; had a wonderful, supportive staff; and was so personally interested in us as his patients.

His love for his wife and family was evident. Having moved to Maple Grove, we knew he had precious and quality time with his family. One day he and your mother will welcome you to the biggest and best reunion ever!

May God bless and keep you!
Don and Sylvia Schmid

Ardythe Kurle

October 27, 2023

My sympathy to the family of Dr Congdon. He was the best doctor.....always interested in the life of his patients and always provided care above and beyond. I started with him in Watford City and continued with him in Bismarck...so fortunate it worked out that we moved at the same time. I so enjoyed him and Becky as well. May your fond memories keep them both close at heart always.

Howard & Karen Fitzgerald

October 27, 2023

Condone Family,
Sorry to read of Bills death. We were neighbors in Grand View Heights in Bismarck,ND for several years. A very nice friendly pleasant man. Thoroughly enjoyed his friendship. Also always knew when he was coming with his noisy Suburban diesel. Great memories!
May God grant you peace and comfort at this time of loss.

Kathy Schaan

October 27, 2023

Dr Congdon was my dentist for years and I missed him so much when he retired. He was an excellent dentist, but mostly a humble man who cared about his patients. He loved his family and often spoke of you all! May your memories comfort you as you grieve.

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