William Connell

Longtime Medora businessman William ?Bill? Connell, 81, Medora, most recently of Dickinson died Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at his home after an extended illness. Memorial services will be 1:00 p. m. , Saturday, March 27, 2004, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dickinson, with the Reverends Steven D. Tangen and Pat Higgins, officiating. William Connell was born August 7, 1922 on a ranch seven miles south of Medora to Bryon T. and Gertrude (Reid) Connell, early Medora pioneers. He graduated from Medora High School, then briefly attended college in Wahpeton. Bill married Helen Neurohr on April 19, 1947 in Bismarck, ND. After working for automotive dealers and in the banking industry for 20 years, Bill, along with his wife Helen, returned to Medora in 1967 to fulfill his dream of building and managing the family owned Hitching Post Gift Shop. Bill was a tireless promoter of Medora and never missed an opportunity to promote the Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and North Dakota. He served as Mayor and councilman of Medora and enthusiastically worked to improve the city (his home), region and state. He was a lifelong member of the Elks and was a Rotarian, receiving the Paul Harris Award. He was also active in the Old West Trail, and was a supporter of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. He was a proud Democrat, an excellent husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was a man that endured with character, leading a life of integrity, good work and love of family and friends. Bill is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Helen; two daughters, Colleen Connell (Darryl DePriest), Chicago, IL, Carmen (Derwin) Zuroff, Medora; one son, Dan Connell (Teri Pagliasotti), Denver, CO; grandchildren, Miranda Connell, Brennan and Carlyle Connell DePriest; sisters, Minnie Olive Kinmark, Klamath Falls, OR, Laura Nelson, Tucson, AZ, Lucille Jacobson, Phoenix, AZ, Bertha (Jerry) Shelly, Ft. Meyers, FL, Dona Wood of Palm Harbor, FL; brother, Guy (Carol) Connell, Dickinson, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by: sisters, Zella Fong, Helen Johnson and brothers Leslie and Jack Connell. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, PO Box 198, Medora, ND 58645.


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Burial Date: March 27, 2004
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Memorial Service: Saturday, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church