William "Bill" H. Fisher, 82, of Bowman, ND died on June 7th, 2014 at Fallon County Long Term Care, Baker MT.

Funeral Services for Bill will be Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bowman Lutheran Church in Bowman. Pastor Charles Swanson will officiate with burial following at the Bowman Cemetery, Bowman, ND. Visitation will be on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Chapel from 10:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Bill Fisher was born in Bowman, ND on September 7, 1931, to Herbert and Margery (Maxson) Fisher. Bill was raised on the family farm north of Buffalo Springs, ND, enjoying and learning all that the rural life has to offer, along with his three sisters and one brother. He attended grade school in Buffalo Springs School, riding his horse to school most every day, right alongside his neighborhood pals and classmates. Bill played basketball for the Buffalo Springs School, competing in many games in the gym which was located in the school's basement. After completing the 8th grade, Bill attended Bowman High School, graduating with the class of 1948.


Bill met Betty Holecek in the halls of BHS where they became high school sweethearts. They were married September 24, 1949 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton, ND. Bill and Betty made their home on the family farm where Bill continued to farm and ranch with his father. Like all farmers, Bill endured the hardships farm life can bring, but at the same time he counted the many blessings he was given. Bill and Betty raised a family of four children: Bart, Brian, Brenda and Blair. Bill and Betty were married for 52 years until her death in July 2001. Later on, Bill met and married Karen Larson of Bismarck, ND. They were married for 12 years.


Bill raised Hereford, Limousin and Angus cattle. He took great pride in his cattle, always looking forward to each calving season. Bill enjoyed his horses, riding when necessary to tend to his cattle; but never passed an opportunity to saddle up Ginger, Sugar, Sundae, Scotty, Dugan or Black Jack for a ride over the prairie at the quiet end of the day. In addition to being a farmer and rancher, Bill was an aerial agricultural applicator. He began spraying crops as a young adult and continued to do so until his later years. Bill and another Bowman County farmer and pilot made a decision to research the science of weather modification for the purpose of hail suppression. Subsequently, these two flying farmers became the pioneers of North Dakota's first cloud seeding program in 1961, which is still in operation today. Although flying had become a part of his livelihood, it had always been his first love as a young teenager, and to Bill flying was much more than just a hobby. Through the years he was the proud owner of seventeen different aircraft, one of which was involved in an accident. Bill walked away from the wreckage with a broken back requiring a hospital stay; however the summer heat easily convinced him that a hand saw would work just fine to remove an uncomfortable body cast, and so he did. Bill's love of flying granted him the opportunity to give back to his community by providing charity flights to those in need of medical care or for personal family matters.


Bill was a member of the El Zagal Shriners. He received great joy by sponsoring several children from his community to obtain complimentary medical treatment, including surgical procedures and follow up care from the Shriners' Hospitals. He belonged to the Elks and was a member of the Masons. Bill was a member of the Bowman Airport Authority Board, serving as president for many years. He was also a member of the Greater North Dakota Association, and was honored as the Bowman Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Producer of the Year in October, 1998.


Bill was preceded in death by his wife Betty; his father and mother, Herbert and Margery Fisher; and one sister, Mary Fisher. Bill is survived by his wife, Karen Fisher; his brother, Jerry (JoAnne) Fisher; his sisters, JoAnn Brooks and Nadine Fisher (Tom Chavez); his children: Barton (Kay) Fisher, Brian Fisher, Brenda (Cleve) Teske, and Blair (Sara) Fisher; eight grandchildren: Alex (Emily) Fisher, Wade (Thu) Fisher, Andy (Ashley) Fisher, Nathan Teske, Meghan Teske, Jordan Fisher, Becca Fisher and Lance Fisher; and 13 great-g
grandchildren.


Bill will be missed by his wife, his family, neighbors and friends. He was a good neighbor to all. It was very common to find Bill sharing a cup of hot coffee and conversation with those he was so fond of. His life consisted of many long hours of work each day, but he always found the time to exchange airplane stories with his fellow pilots including his son and grandsons, as they leaned against the hangar wall. The summer season would bring conversations about the number of grasshoppers in the growing wheat fields, as Bill would load up his Pawnee for early morning crop spraying. As all ranchers know, spring time provided a cattleman's lingo with that one question always asked,"Did that calf get tagged and was it turned back to his mother?" Bill was a husband, father, farmer, rancher and pilot who now rests with God.
Rest easy, your work is done, and, "We'll close the gate."

Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.