William Dixon

WATFORD CITY - William "Bill" Dixon, 93, rural Watford City, more recently of Bismarck, died at his home on Feb. 9, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at First Presbyterian Church, Watford City. The Rev. Sharon Norstog will officiate and interment will follow at Schafer Cemetery. Friends may share memories and condolences with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com">www.fulkersons.com.

William "Bill" Davis Dixon was born to William Harry and Cordelia (Davis) Dixon on Jan. 19, 1917, in Minneapolis. Childhood years were spent in Tioga until 1926, when the Dixons moved to Watford City where his dad owned and operated W.H. Dixon Lumber. Bill went into business operating a Gambles store in 1933, selling hardware, furniture, floor covering and other general merchandise, and graduated from high school in 1935.

In 1946, Bill added the Cockshutt farm machinery line to this business, and shortly after began "Motor Express" a trucking company that hauled cattle to various markets and merchandise back from those cities adding to the local economy. The GMC truck dealership was also part of Bill's business activities. Bill loved to work and was blessed with the ambition and energy to handle multiple endeavors at the same time.

In 1949, Bill married Shirley Trapp, Marion, N.D. Shirley had been a Watford City schoolteacher prior to their marriage and she later helped Bill in his various businesses. In 1955, Bill and Shirley moved to their ranch in the Badlands, where they continued to live until August, at which time they moved to the Waterford Resort in Bismarck. While the children were growing up, Bill drove school bus and Shirley resumed her teaching career. Bill was a generous, encouraging parent, who rarely missed an activity that his children were involved with from music to sports.

Bill was an entrepreneur who never really retired. He ranched, hunted and rented canoes on the Little Missouri River. Sharp-witted and clever, he always found a way to make a good living.

Bill is survived by his wife Shirley, Bismarck: his two daughters, Dotti (Randy) Schmeling, Mandan, and Billie Dixon, Grand Forks; one son, John (Kim) Dixon, Mandan; one grandson, Brock Schmeling, Fargo; and one granddaughter, Kaitlin Dixon, Mandan. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and one daughter, Patti (Rudy) Syminow, Belfield.

Friends may call on Sunday from 1:30 p.m. until service time at the church. (Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City)