William "Bill" Willkom

 

 William (Bill) Lawrence Willkom died on December 28, 2024, in his home in Moorhead, MN.

 Bill was born June 2, 1948, in Elgin, ND, to John and Doris (Beede) Willkom. His family lived on a farm near Mott, ND, before they moved to Moorhead, where Bill graduated from high school. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1967 to 1970, part of that time in Vietnam. He then served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 20 years before retiring in 1993. Bill was a life member of the VFW, the American Legion, and AMVETS. Bill attended the Moorhead Area Vocational Technical Institute where he studied auto mechanics.

 Bill worked at various companies before he was hired as a custodian at Concordia College where he worked until his retirement in 2013. He also was partner of a comic bookstore with his cousin Terry Hoggarth for about 15 years.

 In 2015, Bill married the love of his life, Kimberly Rude. Bill and Kim made their home in Moorhead, where he was a proud stepfather and step-grandpa to her children and grandchildren.

 Bill was an avid gardener and spent many hours outside each summer composting and growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables. Bill liked to travel with his wife and eventually visited all seven continents. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and reading. Bill was a longtime member of Grace Commuion International church, where he performed many hours of selfless service for the congregation.

 Bill is survived by his wife, Kimberly; one stepson, Michael (Lyndsi) Murphy, Dover, OH; one stepdaughter, Delaney Imberi, Moorhead; and four step-granddaughters, Jasmine Osse, Isabella Osse, Alexis Haats, all of Moorhead, MN, and Cecily Murphy, of Dover OH; cousins, Terry Hoggarth, Moorhead, Debbie Hoggarth, Kingman, AZ, Tammy (Todd Kavran) Hoggarth, Kingman, AZ, Linda Soltwedel, St. Germain, WI, Anna (Bernie) Jindra, Cleveland, OH, Ron Beede, Gilbert, AZ, and Judy Ferguson, Cambridge, MN. He was preceded in death by one stepson, John Murphy; and his parents.

 God bless the memory of William L. Willkom.

Bill's memorial service will be held on January 4, 2025, at 1 PM, with a visitation one hour prior, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN. Burial will be held in Gosen Cemetery, Winger, MN.