Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series:
Tribute
Folder:
DIG
Item:
271752
Title:
William A. Stillwell
Date:
11/9/1963-7/30/2025
Creator:
Inscription/Marks:
11/9/1963
Summary:
William “Bill” Stillwell, 61, of Williston, ND, passed away unexpectedly July 30, 2025, while vacationing in Ketchikan, AK. His memorial service was held August 13, 2025, at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Williston. Inurnment was at Little Deep Cemetery, rural Upham, ND.
William Allen Stillwell II was born on November 9, 1963, in Charleston, SC, to Roy Allen Stillwell and Shirley Ann (Watson) Stillwell. Bill lived in South Carolina, Illinois, California, and Colorado as his father was in the Navy and stationed at various locations. He graduated from Thornton High School in Colorado.
He was involved in various sports throughout his school years with baseball being his all-time favorite. At every naval base, he was playing baseball or hockey or anything he could do with his brothers. At 14 years of age, he had an unassisted triple play resulting in meeting the Alameda Naval Base Commander for his efforts. He transitioned to softball in his twenties and spent many, many years on the fields.
Bill and Melanie met in 1993 when they were both playing softball. They spent many years playing coed games together or following each other in their games. Bill and Melanie were married on June 7, 1996, in Upham. Their first son, William Roy Stillwell, was stillborn on December 24, 1997. Ryland Tylor Stillwell was born on January 17, 1999.
They moved to Williston in 1998. Bill attended Williston State College graduating in 2000 as an honor student with an Associate in Applied Science. His career path included working at Williston State College and Williston Parks and Recreation. When he finished at the Parks and Rec, he began working part time at the Transportation Security Administration at Williston Airport. Bill retired on July 24, 2025, and was looking forward to more travel, his own schedule, and spending time with Ryland, Melanie, family, and friends.
Ryland was his pride and joy. Bill spent so much time throwing a football or baseball around. He coached Ryland’s teams over the years including basketball, football, and baseball. They golfed together, traveled together, attended motocross races, attended professional football, basketball, hockey, and baseball games, hunted, fished, hiked, spent time at the family farm, or sat around watching football. He loved Ryland very much, was proud of him, and only wanted the best for him.
Bill and Melanie enjoyed traveling and had visited many US states, Mexico, Jamaica, Canada, and had taken several Caribbean cruises. They were already planning their next vacations. Bill was so looking forward to the Alaskan Cruise and Land Travel. The day of his passing he was up in a floatplane, videoing the entire time, with a big grin on his face. Bill loved the outdoors. If he could be hiking in the mountains or wading in the ocean, he was happy. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing card/board games, gardening, Bingo and his sports.
Softball was his passion. The only thing he loved more than softball was his family and friends. He was still playing softball up to the day he left for Alaska. He played all games at shortstop in 90-degree weather making the last play of the game for a state championship. The number of games he played over the years is too many to even begin to count. The friendships he developed over the years with the many players is priceless.
Bill was really a kid at heart. He was always the adult that went outside to play with the kids or roll around on the floor with them or sit down with the daycare kids. He had knack for doing anything with ease – never needing to think much about it or work at it. He just joined in and did well. He had a quiet presence about him and did not need to be the center of attention. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, yet was many times frustrated with them – never giving up hope that someday they would win another Superbowl. His families and friends meant the world to him. Bill left us way too early, yet leaves behind so many wonderful memories, family times, and a life well lived. He will be dearly missed by many.
Survivors include his wife, Melanie Stillwell; son, Ryland Stillwell; mother-in-law, Alice (Josie) Pfau; brother, Ricky (Roxanna) Stillwell; sisters, Debbie Berchtold, and Brenda Stillwell; brother, Rodney Stillwell; sister-in-law, Suzette Stillwell; brother-in-law, Loren (Annette) Pfau; sister-in-law, Michelle (Stuart) Dolan; sister-in-law, Renae (Bret) Linstrom; nieces and nephews, Lukkas Pfau, Kelsey (Kami) Pfau, Paige (Joseph) Doegen, Maari Dolan, Andy (Kaitlyn) Linstrom, Roy (Manuela) Stillwell, Ryan (Lauren) Stillwell, Randall (Annie) Stillwell, Jesse (Cayla) Stillwell, Alicia (Calvin) Bauge, Joshua (Jordan) Stillwell, Harry Tripp, Holly (Brandon) Simmons, Jackie (Anthony) Camacho; and many great-nieces and nephews.
Preceding Bill in death are parents, Roy and Shirley Stillwell; father-in-law, Leslie Pfau; infant son, William Roy Stillwell; brother, Raymond Stillwell; brother-in-law, Michael Berchtold.
Red ID: FND_I_79247 Image ID: 532026 Image Notes: FND001 271752
