William "Bill" Cruff

1933 - 2021

William ""Bill"" Cruff, 87, Valley City, formerly Rogers, ND, passed away at Sanford on Broadway in Fargo, ND on April 15, 2021. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 18 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Valley City and will continue an hour prior to the funeral. His funeral service will be on Monday, April 19 at 1:00 PM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with Pastor Foster Beckstrand officiating. The funeral will be live streamed and archived along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudschuldt.com Interment will be in Memory Gardens
Bill was born to Clair and Murlie (Beil) Cruff in rural Barnes County on November 5, 1933, and grew up in the Rogers area. William attended Logan School District #17 through 8th grade, just a mile and a half from the family farm. After school, he worked the family farm with his father and then later with his brother, James until his passing.
He was a member of the North Dakota National Guard for over 17 years. Bill married Kathryn (Lee) on April 12, 1959, they celebrated their 62nd Wedding Anniversary on April 12, 2021 just days before his death. Bill also drove long-haul truck, bulk oil truck, was a mechanic and was the ""coolest"" school bus driver for many years. He raised cows, pigs, chickens and buffalo over the years on the farm. He was member and president of the Barnes County Wildlife Club, a member of Bald Hill Rod & Gun Club, Elks, Eagles and was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church of Rogers.
Bill was a fixer, creator, inventor and an innovator. He built and drove his cherished monster truck ""The Dragon Wagon"" for many years. He sold and rode motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats and anything that went fast. He enjoyed mud racing and pickup pulls most every weekend for years. He also built and flew his own Ultra-Light aircraft. He was an avid gardener in his later years.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Lee); daughter, Cindy (Michael) of Rogers; son, Tomas (Juleen) of Oriska; and daughter, Debra (Craig) of Leesport, PA; seven grandchildren: Michelle (Travis) Jorissen of Casselton; Daniel (Kim) Schwehr of Rogers; Bud (Tresa) Cruff of Wimbledon; Christofer (Katelyn) Olson of Ashland, PA; Joseph Cruff (Briana Powers) of Oriska; Katie Cruff of Valley City and Cody Olson (Rachel Smith) of Northampton, MA; five great-grandchildren: William and James Schwehr of Rogers; Journey Cruff of Oriska; and Derick and Johanna Jorissen of Casselton; sister, Bonnie Burchill of Valley City. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Sandra Cruff of Kindred and by a brother-in-law, Odis Foreman of Olustee, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews.
William was preceeded in death by his parents, brothers James, Ken and Gary; and sisters Carol and Murlie.
Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Bill's family with arrangements.