William Frank Meissner slipped into the gates of Heaven on Tuesday, November 13 th 2018 at the Sanford Hospital in Bismarck, North Dakota surrounded by many of his loved ones. Billy was born on October 19 th , 1942 to William V. and Edna (Klabenes) Meissner at the NP hospital in Glendive. We had just celebrated his 76 th birthday. He was raised just west of Brockway on the family farm.
When a young man he attended Brockway Elementary School and graduated from the Eighth Grade there, then on to Circle High School where he graduated with the Class of 1960. During his high school years he played football and still had a great love for the game. After high school he attended Bailey Technical School in St. Louis where he received his Diesel Mechanic certificate. Then he joined the US Navy where he went to Crypto Training and became a cryptographic machine repairman. He received the National Defense Service Medal and later was stationed on Nantucket Island, Mass where he was a Radioman. There he met the love of his life, Florence (Renaud) Meissner. They were married on June 19 th , 1965 on Nantucket. Billy was honorably discharged from the Navy in the fall of 1966 and we moved with their daughter Vickie Lee to Circle, Montana.
After returning to Montana they had two more daughters Julie Ann and Carrie Lyn. He was a wonderful husband and dad to their three girls. Oh, how he loved to tease his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He attended all the girls’ various events, it gave them a sense of calm just to know he was there.
Billy loved being home on the plains where he loved to go hunting and fishing, especially with his brother Jerry, good friend Winnie, his dad, uncles, children and nephew Justin. We spent many memorable times at the lake fishing, swimming or roasting marshmallows on the open fire. Billy was known to many of his friends by the nickname “Moon”. He loved the challenge of catching the big northern pike and helping his daughters reel in fish they had caught.
Billy worked at the Farmers Union Elevator and then at Eissinger Equipment for twenty six years. He loved working on all kinds of mechanical vehicles. He made many friends and was known for his delicious popcorn. Bill enjoyed helping John Collins make the beans and help with all the roasts for the barbeque on Town & Country Day over the big outdoor pit behind the Vets Club. He loved to cook for family and friends and was infamous for his chili. Bill enjoyed snowmobiling and four wheeling and going on Poker Runs with many groups. Many winter nights he got into great card games with his friends and family such as pinochle, whist and canasta.
Billy was a very strong and caring man and he will be missed by many but especially his wife Flo, his three wonderful daughters; Vickie(Tim) McCloy of Circle, Julie Meissner of Bismarck ND, and Carrie(Russ)Ziegler of Bismarck, ND. Grandchildren Dustin(Amy)McCloy, Diane(Joe)Meeks, Kelsy(Michael)Hale, Cleve Solberg, Marshall Ziegler and Derrick Ziegler. Great-Grandchildren Abigail & Jaxton McCloy, Jaden Meeks, Brayden, Cameron & Jameson Hale, Riona Solberg. Mother Edna Meissner, Brother Jerry(Jeanne)Meissner, Sister Betty Menefee, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceded in death by his father William V. Meissner, grandparents Henry and Emma Meissner and Frank and Olga Klabenes, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.