William S. Rocksund, 85

William S. Rocksund, 85, passed away at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls on Jan. 14, 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nils and Dagny; sister, Ruby Trebas; infant son, Billy; son, Erik; and daughter, Chris.

He is survived by his wife, Marcia; son, Norman and Deb; daughter, Jillene and Kurt Sigler; daughter, Carrie and Shannon Stringer; stepsons, Michael, Jeff and Mark Atkinson; nephew, Russell Rocksund; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

At Bill’s request no service is planned.

Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be spread by family members.

Bill was born William Richard Sorensen on July 26, 1928, to Nils and Dagny Sorensen in Chicago. In the late 1930s his parents became citizens of the United States and changed their name to Rocksund after a sound in Norway. Bill was very proud of his Norwegian heritage!

He moved to Whitefish in the 1950s and started his own contracting business. Bill built several businesses and homes in the Flathead Valley, Lake County, the stairway from the parking lot to Many Glacier Lodge, along with buildings for the Park Service and Forest Service. Some of his clients had him build a few houses for them.

He and Ben Cohen were the original No. 1 Rowdies, having started soccer in Whitefish. He coached children and women and loved every minute of it! He also played on the Old Pharts team in his 60s. Going to the World Cup Soccer in 1994 was a thrill of his lifetime!

He was an avid sportsman, taking trips on horseback into the Great Bear Wilderness, fishing and hunting elk. He and Marcie took a 100-mile horseback trip into the Bob Marshall for their honeymoon. He spent many years on Lake Koocanusa fishing and camping with Marcie, family and friends.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal!”

A very special thank you to the staff at the Montana Veterans Home for the wonderful and loving care provided!