Billy "Bill" L. Freitag, 74, of Dickinson, ND, passed away at his home on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

Funeral Services for Bill will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Hillside Baptist Church in Dickinson, ND.   Pastor Rob Grunden will officiate with burial to follow fellowship in the Bowman Cemetery. Visitation for Bill will be at the church from 9-11.

Services will be live-streamed here:

https://www.facebook.com/HBCDickinson

Billy L. Freitag was born in Hettinger, ND, on February 28, 1951, the eldest son of Don and Ferne Freitag (Bagley). He was baptized at the Bowman Lutheran Church, attended Cottage Country School through the 8th grade, and graduated from Bowman High School in 1969. Billy grew up on the family farm north of Bowman. At the age of 13, being the eldest son, he took on significant responsibilities following his father's illness. After graduation, he worked for several ranches in the Badlands and enjoyed breaking and working with horses. Billy had a gentle spirit and a natural connection with the horses he trained.

Around 1986, Billy started Badlands Guide Service. As the business grew, he leased various ranches in the area to guide hunters from across the United States. Some of his proudest moments included partnering with the Mossy Oak TV crew to film guided hunts in the North Dakota Badlands. Billy also traveled to multiple sports shows on the East Coast to promote the guide service.

Billy and Betty met on a blind date on Christmas of 1990, arranged by their good friends, Mert and Jeanette Mitchell. They later married and made their home in Dickinson, where they lived for the past 32 years. Although Billy loved hunting and guiding, he eventually shifted his focus to work that allowed him to spend more time camping and fishing with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed ice fishing and spending time with special friends. Billy was a gifted storyteller who loved a game of pinochle or any game played at family gatherings. He was an active member of the Hillside Baptist Church family, where he served as a greeter, helped with AWANA, participated in Senior Bible Study, and volunteered at the AMEN Food Pantry. He loved meeting new people and sharing stories of his many adventures.

Billy loved his yard and was always looking for a new tree or flower to add to it.  He was a avid gardener, as long as it was only the planting , and harvesting.

Billy will be deeply missed by his wife, Betty; his children, Suzy Anderson (Scott) and Earl Shear (Theresa); his grandchildren, Tim Evans, Kassidy Vine (Koty), Kellee (Skyler) Cheff, Mikayla Shear, Brooklyn Shear, Alexius ( Eli) Harpster (Alicia Shear (Michael), and Steven Shear (Mariah); and his great-grandchildren, Luna Evans, and Emerson and Bruin Harpster. He is also survived by his siblings, Twyla Burke (Tom), Terri Whitney (Chuck), and Blane Freitag (Jackie), along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Ferne Freitag; his brother, Bryan Freitag; and his grandparents, Walter and Ellen Bagley, and Max and Anna Freitag.