William "Bill" Artz was born on March 29, 1947 to Harold and Regina (Fraser) Artz in Bottineau, ND. He was the third of fifteen children, growing up with his seven brothers and seven sisters on the family farm in Antler, ND. Bill attended Notre Dame Catholic High School in Willow City, ND, where he graduated in 1967. He then attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton for 2 years, graduating with a degree in Gas & Diesel Mechanics & Welding. He worked in Fargo for a time until he enlisted in the Navy Sea Bees and served his country proudly in Vietnam.

Bill married the love of his life, Trudy (Deschamp) of Westhope, on April 8, 1983. They initially made their home in Newburg, ND until moving to a farm outside of Westhope in December of 1983. They welcomed their first daughter, Sara Lynn, in September 1983 and 2 years later, in November 1985, welcomed a son, Leonard William. Their family was completed in September 1990 with the addition of Molly Jean. They later moved to a farm outside of Maxbass, ND.

Bill grew many different crops over a span of 45 years farming in the Westhope/Maxbass area. He proudly handed over the farm to his son, Lenny, in 2015 when he realized that the sunshine and golf courses of Arizona was calling him. Bill and Trudy spent 8 wonderful winters in Arizona where they had lots of family close by and where they enjoyed meeting people from around the country, and even a few from Canada. The friendships made during their time in AZ will always be cherished.

In addition to farming, Bill was very active and involved in the communities where he lived. He was a very dedicated and resourceful member of the Bottineau County Water Resource Board for a little over 40 years. He also served on numerous other agricultural, golf, school and church boards. He was also a very talented mechanic and loved helping anyone in his community and surrounding area. He loved restoring old tractors and fixing up golf carts. He rarely missed any of his children's activities and tried to make it to as many of his grandkids' activities as he could. Bill loved to golf and made sure his kids and grandkids did too.

Bill was welcomed into Eternal Life on October 12 ^th , 2021, surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his loving wife, Trudy, of Westhope, ND, and children, Sara (Jesse) Wiedrich of Bismarck, ND, Lenny (Amanda) Artz of Westhope, ND, and Molly Artz (Brieanne Schmidt) of Bismarck, ND. He will be remembered and forever loved by his grandchildren Will, Ty, Parker and Nash Artz and Cole, Mason and Hattie Wiedrich. He is also survived by his siblings Jeanne Artz of Minot, ND, Bernice (Phil) Duffy of Stillwell, KS, Mike (Ruby) Artz of Antler, ND, Ted (Becky) Artz of Lyleton, SK, Loretta (Art) Pieretti of Rockaway Beach, OR, Colette (Howard) Cotton of Hillsboro, ND, Leann (Curt) Hall of Berthold, ND, Bob (Brenda) Artz of Minot, ND, Marie Henderson, Norton, MA, Pete (Georgia) Artz of Bottineau, ND, Don Artz of Antler, ND, Marilyn (Tim) Backman of Herman, MN, Pat (Amy) Artz of Bottineau, ND, mother-in-law Pauline Deschamp of Minot, ND, sisters-in-law Kelly Rae Artz of Bottineau, ND, Gail (Jim) Schmitz of Naples, FL, and brother-in-law Michael Deschamp (Craig Sevin) of Kalamazoo, MI, along with numerous nieces and nephews who each have held a special place in his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Jean Artz, his father-in-law, James Deschamp, his brother Jim Artz, his brother-in-laws Jerry Schutten, Brandt Henderson and Ric Schmitz, his nephews Benjamin Cotton and Nathan Artz, niece Ashley Artz and great niece, Emily Hall.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday October 20,2021 at 10:00 AM at the Presbyterian Church in Westhope. A prayer service at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, October 19 ^th at the Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Trinity Cancer Care Center and the Westhope Ambulance Service.

You can watch Bill's funeral mass at https://youtu.be/gMgT6XConf4 and graveside service at https://youtu.be/NlSI0QEgWAQ