William Heilman

William "Bill" Anthony Heilman, 54, passed away peacefully at his home in Fort Worth, Texas, on Jan. 31, 2011, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with the Rev. John Guthrie officiating.

Bill was born April 7, 1956, and was one of nine children of Leonita and Victor Heilman, Bismarck. He grew up in Bismarck and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1974. He was employed as a meat cutter all of his life and could make an outstanding rack of ribs. He was a very sweet and gentle man who had an amazing talent for wood carving and artistry that he loved.

Grateful to have shared their lives with Bill are his wife, Kelly, Fort Worth; two children, Becky and Christopher; his mother and father, Leonita and Victor Heilman, Bismarck; seven brothers and sisters, Allen (Sue), Bismarck, Gilberta (Darrell) Holzer, Bozeman, Mont., Dean (Tracy), Bismarck, Mike, Escondido, Calif., Dorothy (Don) Vetter, Bismarck, Myron (Lisa) Bismarck, and Calvin (Teresa) Bismarck; as well as his mother-in-law, Lois Schmidt; sister-in-law, Kerri and niece, Randi VerHoeven, all of Fort Worth; and brothers-in-law, Pat VerHoeven, Bismarck, and Dan VerHoeven, Reno, Nev. Bill will also be missed by his nieces and nephews, Jesse, Jackie, Sara, Trevor, Paul, Jeremy, Seth, Jordan, Emilee, Cole and Alexis.

Bill will be dearly missed and is deeply loved by his family and friends. The many laughs we shared with Bill will never be forgotten and the wonderful memories we have will live on in our hearts forever.

Bill is now at his Eternal Home with his brother, Leon Heilman; his maternal and paternal grandparents; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.