Arthur William 'Bill' Crooks Jr.  71, of Upham, ND, passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones on Sunday, April 26, 2020.  A celebration of Bill's life will be held on May, 22, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Upham Park.

Bill was born on March 22, 1949 in Wenatchee, Washington. He was raised on the family farm in Mohall, ND and was the son of Arthur William Crooks Sr. of Winona, Minnesota and Stacy Leah (Shuman) Crooks of Antler, ND.

In the Fall of 1966, while attending Bottineau High School he worked at Art's Recreation, Bill met Gloria Norman and they were married. From that marriage, 4 daughters were born, then they moved to Mohall where Bill worked on the Family Farm.

In the mid 70s, he married Robyn Williams of Mohall, ND where he continued to farm, ranch and trap.

In 1984, Bill moved to the Turtle Mountains where he founded Billy's Equestrian Riding, the annual Wild Bunch Ride and the 3-day Turtle Mountain Music Festival. Bill was known as the "Fun-Maker" by his many friends. He held a special place in his heart for his friends of the Chippewa Nation.

In 1986, Bill traveled to Alaska where he met, Mary Ellen Lee. his wife of 30 years. In 1987, after the birth of their daughter, they left North Dakota to live the dream of a life on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. Bill left quite a legacy of cowboy and mountain man tales from his time spent in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming.

Bill excelled as an Elk Guide and led many pack strings of horses, mules and hunters deep into the Rockies.  He was a legendary storyteller and it was always a fun-filled time when he would entertain friends & family with stories of his exceptional life experiences. Particularly, the one where he got close enough to a grizzly bear to test out his pepper spray.

For over 50 years, Bill spent summers at the family cabin at Lake Metigoshe. He loved to teach his children and grandchildren to swim, waterski and fish. In his later years, he was a familiar sight on the lake catching walleye, and in the winter, he could often be found ice fishing.

His was a life well-lived, from hunting and farming, to working in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to becoming a cowboy in Wyoming. Most of all, he was an amazing teacher, who had much wisdom to share. Bill ultimately returned home to North Dakota, the place he loved best, and where he had spent many years trapping and hunting.  Wherever he went, he searched the ground for animal tracks and artifacts. He was well-known for his understanding of animal behavior. Bill spent his last years walking many miles and appreciating the beauty of the J. Clark Salyer Wildlife Refuge near his home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Marilyn and Marva Jane, and Daughter Billi Jean Schell.  He is survived by his daughters:  Angela (Dale) Bercier, Laurie (Larry) Lord, Dawn Crooks, all of Bottineau, ND and Katie Rose Crooks of Bayside, California.

His grandchildren:  Cody (Ariel) Brink, Kasey Hiatt, Jarrett Lord, Tanner Lord and Nicole Crooks, all of Bottineau, ND. Jessica Schell of Prior Lake, MN &  Ashley Barta of Tuscon, AZ.

His great-grandchildren:  Ava Schell, Cash & Presley Barta, Killian Crooks, and Ziah Brink.