Obituary: William Hope

William "Bill" Raymond Hope, 99, passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, at CHI St. Alexis Health, Carrington, N.D.

Funeral services will be held at a later date. Burial will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford. Rev. Mindy Meier will officiate with special music by Jackie Hope. Honorary bearers will be Bill's grandchildren Adam Rolland, Rachel Rolland, Garrett Hope, Andrea Hall, Andrew Martin, Nathan Martin and Patrick Hope. Military Honors by Raymond B. Thorn American Legion, Post #30, New Rockford and North Dakota Air Force Funeral Honors Team.

William was born Jan. 2, 1922, to G. L. and Hazel (Fahy) Hope in Fessenden, N.D. Bill graduated from Fessenden High School in 1939. He attended NDSU. Two quarters short of graduating in 1943, Bill enlisted in the Army Air Corps. As a flight engineer on a B-29 he flew missions over China, Japan and the Southeast Pacific. After World War II, he continued his service as an Air Force Reservist from 1947 to 1971, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. When he returned to the states, Bill married Donna Carter on Sept. 19, 1945, in Seattle, Wash. They returned to Fessenden after his discharge, where he joined his father's Ford dealership. Bill moved the business to New Rockford in 1951, later merging with Albert Haas' International Harvester dealership to form Town and Country Motors. He retired from that business in 1979.

Bill was active in his community and church, a long-time member of Kiwanis, the Masons, Shriners, and Grand Commandery, American Legion and VFW. He was a member of the First Methodist Church board for many years, and often served as church treasurer. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow for his service to the board of Boy Scout Troop 174. He also served on the city Park Board at a time of growth in local recreational facilities, and was one of the first to hold a lifetime membership in the New Rockford Golf Club. In his retirement, Bill served as a municipal judge for over ten years.

He is survived by five children: Ronan Rolland, Benson, Minn.; W. Carter (Jacqueline) Hope, Kennewick, Wash.; Jennifer (Mike) Martin, Rock Springs, Wyo.; James (Jackie) Hope, Dickinson, N.D.; and Sharron Hope, New Rockford, N.D.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Donna; parents G. L. and Hazel Hope; siblings Helen H. Graves, Richard A. Hope, and Harriet Winn; brother-in-law Robert H. Carter and son-in-law Richard Rolland, Jr.

Memorials may be made in Bill's name to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd or Prairie Home Cemetery Auxiliary.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of New Rockford, N.D.