William H. Utter

William (Bill) H. Utter, age 81, of Richfield, MN peacefully passed away on November 23, 2017. Survived by wife Carol; daughters, Kimberly Rice, Cynthia (Thao) Le, Julie (Jeff) Bergom; grandchildren, Daniel, Michael, Ryan, Hannah, Matthew; great-granddaughters, Emma, Ruby; Sister, Pat, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by son William; sisters; Iryne, Florence, Dolores, Katherine; and son-in-law Richard. Bill was born in Bemidji, MN, son of William H. (Bill) and Laura (Leeson). He attended St. Philip's School and Bemidji High School. He enlisted in the MN National Guard followed by the U.S. Navy and served in Newport, RI on the USS Raymond Destroyer Escort. He married his High School sweetheart, Carol “Coleman” Utter, at St. Philip's Catholic Church in Bemidji. Carol joined him in Newport until his discharge when they returned to Bemidji. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Petty Officer 2nd class Boiler Tender. He worked at Grand Forks Air Base for two summers, attended Bemidji State College and worked for American Tobacco and then the Bemidji Candy Company. In 1965 they moved to Richfield where he worked for Fuller Brush, John Morrell, Erickson Corp. and then finished his career working for MN DOT for 24 years until his retirement. He built a house on Turtle River Lake where him and Carol enjoyed many happy years. His passion in life was playing music and singing which he did professionally in many locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and for fun wherever he went. He loved his daughters and enjoyed using his carpentry skills building many items for them over the years and bird houses with his grandchildren. He adored his great-granddaughters .

Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, meet in assembly area #5 by 1:45. A celebration of life will take place immediately following the graveside service at the American Legion Post #435, 6501 Portland Ave. S., Richfield.