William "Bill" Savage

About Bill

William David Savage was born in Waite Park at home on January 12, 1940 and died on January 6, 2026 surrounded by family, just a few days shy of his 86th birthday. Bill is survived by his sister Sara (See), his beautiful wife, Sharon, daughters Tracy (Zhykhovich), Amy (Blanchard), and Susan (Landry), 8 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Bill was a star athlete, the kind of genius who could figure just about anything out, an avid fisherman and hunter, a man committed to his faith, had a story to share in any circumstance, and was always the friendliest guy in any room he was in. If Bill had an internal filter, he didn’t often use it, which resulted in colorful stories sure to make you laugh, or at least roll your eyes. He was friend to everyone, mentor to many, hero to more than a few.

Bill attended St. Cloud Tech high school where he won awards competing in track, basketball, and as quarterback of the football team. He went on to study Engineering at the University of Minnesota and spent the majority of his career as a Metallurgist with Honeywell. One of the highlights of his career was working on materials for the Apollo Space Program. If you’re ever at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. you can see the joystick in the cockpit on display there that he helped to design.

Bill and Sharon built a home in Maple Grove where they lived for 60 years. Bill was a member of the Lions Club and active in politics. He ran for Minnesota State Representative twice and formed many relationships that continued throughout his life. While we don’t have any of the t-shirts with his campaign slogan, ‘I’m a Savage Supporter’, Bill still had the silk screen in the basement (because of course he printed his own shirts).

As a husband and father, Bill was involved and active. He and Sharon enjoyed travelling to places like the Bahamas, El Salvador, Mexico, Norway, Russia and the Mediterranean, as well as many places in the U.S. For his kids, Bill was always available to coach teams or transport friends. He learned to sew when Sharon was expecting their first child so he could make her maternity clothes and continued as the family ‘seamstress’ until he was unable.

Grandpa Bill was a master lullaby singer and baby snuggler. He helped build tree forts, was infinitely patient teaching fishing skills or frosting cutout cookies, always called to sing Happy Birthday, and every year read aloud the account of Jesus’ birth on Christmas.

Bill’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. His love of the Lord was obvious to those around him in his generosity and kindness, his willingness to talk about his belief and hope with anyone who asked, his involvement in his church, and the love with which he prayed daily for those he loved. His hope was in a future resurrection to life in God’s kingdom forever. As he rests and awaits that day, we will miss his presence here, but we look forward to seeing him again and getting one of his big, assuring hugs.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

January 22, 2026

Pine Grove Bible Church 4000 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443, USA

Visitation at 12:30pm

If you have stories about Bill you’d like to share, there will be an opportunity to do that, as well as a basket to collect written anecdotes about Bill. If you’re unable to attend, the service will be streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@pinegrovebiblechurch7063/streams and stories can be emailed to susanslandry@gmail.com to be included with the written remembrances.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services