William "Bill" John Peterson

About Bill

William “Bill” John Peterson, 90, of Park Rapids, MN passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Sanford Health in Fargo, ND.

Bill was born on August 7, 1934 at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the son of Russell K and Dorothy Mae (Githens) Peterson. He lived in Michigan until moving to Fergus Falls where he attended school from 2nd to 10th grade when his family then moved to Park Rapids, where he graduated in 1952. He attended Bemidji State College with a BS in 1960 and a MS in 1965. Bill was united in marriage to Barbara Elaine Johnson on December 19, 1959 in Bemidji, MN. They were blessed with three boys, Eric, John and Michael.

Bill served a lengthy career in the US Army, starting with active-duty enlistment with service in Korea. Eventually transferring to the Minnesota National Guard where he retired as Sergeant Major after 25 years. He was a social studies teacher at Red Lake, MN from 1960 until 1964, and then in Alexandria from 1964 until 1967. From 1967 until his retirement in 1999 he was a Silver Burdett Ginn school book sales representative. During those years they lived in Alexandria, Fargo, St. Cloud and finally moving to Park Rapids in 1979, where they built their home on Fish Hook Lake.

In 1968 they purchased a cabin on the point of Fish Hook Lake where Bill was able to spend the summers there with his wife and their boys. They have always enjoyed living on Fish Hook Lake and hosting gatherings of friends and family.

He was a life member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 and served in many positions, including the Honor Guard Team and was a life member of the VFW Post #8165 Wolf Lake, MN. He served as a president of the Ben Franklin Club with the MN Bookmen organization and was a six-term president of the NDSSA – ND Bookman organization.

Bill is survived by his – wife – Barbara E. Peterson of Park Rapids, MN; his three sons – Eric J. (Janelle) Peterson of Circle Pines, MN; John G. (Rachael) Peterson of Arlington, Texas; and Michael D. Peterson of Park Rapids, MN. Grandchildren Jarod Peterson of Arlington, TX, Courtney Peterson of Naples, FL, Zachary Peterson of Owatonna, MN and Anna Peterson of Annapolis, MD. Sister Nancy Johnson (Robert ‘Bob’) of St. Cloud, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents.

memorial service

Memorial Services for Bill

December 28, 2024

Calvary Lutheran Church 112 Park Ave, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Military Honors will be provided by the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 Honors Team. Interment will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley, MN with Full Military Honors.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home