William "Bill" Grieve

William “Bill” Grieve, 92, of Buffalo, ND, died Tuesday, August 30, 2022, in Pioneer House, Fargo, ND.

William Elmer Grieve was born April 30, 1930, at Valley City, ND, to Elmer and Dorothy (Nevens) Grieve.  Bill was a lifetime resident of Buffalo, ND.  He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1949, and he was already a licensed pilot by that time!  Bill’s father had taught him to fly and he soloed the first day he could, on his 16th birthday. 

William married Beverly Bloedel on June 15, 1952, at Valley City, ND.  They farmed at Buffalo where Bill had a Grade A dairy and fed beef cattle.  He then worked 27 years as a self-employed spray pilot.

Bill was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo.  He loved to sing and was a long-time member of Great Plains Harmony.  Bill was a past president of Flying Farmers, and former president and member of Experimental Aircrafts Chapter #317.  He was always happy if he could talk someone into an airplane ride, with the Grieve Airport being just a few quick steps from the house.  While in high school he would fly himself to school if the roads were blocked.   Bill taught a lot to people to fly including his two oldest children.

He is survived by two sons Thomas (Carol) Grieve, Harwood, ND,  and Jack Grieve (companion Cindy Workman), Buffalo, ND; four daughters Connie (Armen) Hanson, Devils Lake, ND, Maxine (John) Rognlien, Towner, ND, Wendy (Bryan) Skager, Bismarck, ND and Diane (Rudy) Davis, Rowlett, TX; eleven grandchildren: Sara Grieve (Dwight) Dullum, Madison Grieve, James (Alli) Rognlien, Jared (Shayna) Rognlien, Elliot (Ashley) Rognlien, Emma Rognlien, Callie Hanson (Josh) Greene, Kari Skager (Tyler) Stecher, Jeremy Skager, Kate Bower (Austin) Milner, and Dakota Bower; sixteen great-grandchildren: Carter Dullum, Hayes, Hatton, Rhett & Riggs Rognlien, Johnny, Jozi, Boone, Zayne & Zebediah Rognlien, Jade Vigen, Chayson, Brea and Ellie Greene, Scarlett Stecher, Ashlynn Kromrey, Tres Rognlien; two sisters-in-law: Dolores Harris, Moorhead, MN, Perralina (Foster) Palm, Reno, NV; four nephews and one niece: Mike Mersch, Craig, Brian & Kevin Harris, William P. Foster and Carlette (Foster) Henderson.  Also, by his close friend, Joyce Gensrich, Hatton, ND.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Beverly, his parents, and his sister Verene Mersch.

Visitation:   5 – 7 pm Monday, September 5, 2022, with a Prayer Service held at 7 pm, all in West Funeral Home of Casselton, ND

Funeral:     2 pm Tuesday, September 6, 2022, in First Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, ND

Burial: Buffalo (ND) Cemetery

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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