William Van Dell

William Clifford Van Dell Jr. “Wild Bill” Age 64 Billy was born in Duluth, Minnesota on April 23, 1952. One of eight children to Lorraine (nee Couture) and William Van Dell, Sr. The family moved to White Bear Lake In 1958 and Billy began attending St. Pius X Catholic School where he was an altar boy. They eventually moved across town near St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church and Billy started high school in White Bear Lake. He was a wonderful athlete and played both hockey and baseball. He graduated in 1970 and enlisted in the United States Army. While serving in the military, he was sent to Vietnam twice and Germany once. Upon his return to the United States, Billy moved all over. He was nicknamed “Wild Bill” because he lived his life to the fullest. Billy was a free spirit and worked many jobs as he moved from place to place. Those close to him remember him joking about retiring at 23 years old as he took to the road. He enjoyed going cross country on trains but his passion was driving around his beloved 1962 Ford Galaxy while singing to the radio. He enjoyed music and loved classic rock and outlaw country. Most recently, he bought a Harley motorcycle and began taking road trips on that. Billy was a generous man and would have given his last dollar to anyone who needed it. In recent years, he spent most of his time in Wisconsin and became a Green Bay Packer fan. He was much loved by all his family and friends and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Billy passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. He is preceded in death by his father, William Clifford Van Dell Sr.; his brother, Thomas “Tom” Van Dell; and his sister, Patricia Handlos. He will be missed by his mother, Lorraine (Richard) Cournoyer; his siblings, Barbara (Paul) Robinson of Eureka Springs, AR, Tim (Pat) Van Dell of White Bear Lake, Mary Jo Van Dell of Marine on St. Croix, Beverly (Gene) Van Dell of Dresser, WI, and Keith (Karri) Van Dell of River Falls, WI; his special sister-in-law, Jody Van Dell; 21 nieces and nephews; 31 great nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends. There will be a gathering for Billy’s family and friends from 4-7PM on Monday, January 16, 2017 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake. There will be a second visitation on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 10AM until the 11AM Mass at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake. Military honors and prayers will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with a reception following at the White Bear Lake VFW. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Sharing and Caring Hands at 525 North 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405.