Bill Beatty

Bill was born August 15, 1928, the son of Cecil and Jessie (Langton) Beatty, on a dairy farm west of Lakota and delivered milk with his brothers and sisters. He enjoyed school and the University of North Dakota. He played football for the Fighting Sioux, where he started at right guard for 3 years and was called "Tiger Beatty" as he was tough and strong. Bill raced snowmobiles for Arctic Cat Corp. in North Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin; and competed in the Winnipeg to St. Paul 500 mile Ironman Race, winning more than 100 trophies over his career. Bill later farmed with his father and also custom harvested with David Olderbak, harvesting in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and the Lakota area. He was a member of the Elk's and the Mason's. Bill married Patricia Ann (Lee) Sundeen on January 29, 1980. Bill & Patty traveled throughout the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Kenya, London, England, and the United Arab Emirates. He enjoyed hunting ducks, geese, upland game, and deer with his stepsons. In his younger years, he enjoyed fishing and hunting with his father and brothers. Bill often remarked "May he be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows he is dead".

Bill will be deeply missed by his wife, Patty Beatty of Lakota, ND; 3 stepsons, Jay Sundeen of Papua New Guinea & his special friend Denise, Ross Sundeen & his wife Tricia of Watford City, ND, and John Paul Sundeen & his wife Laurie of Bismarck, ND; 3 granddaughters, Olivia, Addison, and Avery Joy of Watford City, ND; his brother, James Harlan Beatty of Devils Lake, ND; his sister, Lovina Gow of Chicago, IL; and his nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil & Jessie Beatty; 2 brothers, Robert and Claude; and his sister, Betty LouVerne Beatty.

Bill's Funeral Service will be held at the Lakota Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Don Mueller. The organist will be Lynda Pearson and the soloist will be Donovan Foughty. Interment will be in the Lakota Cemetery . Serving as casketbearers will be Jay Sundeen, Ross Sundeen, John Sundeen, Doug Gow, Steve Tronson, and Rodney Stevens. The family considers all of Bill's friends and neighbors to be honorary casketbearers. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Monday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Tuesday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.