Obituary: William Sutherland

William Sutherland

William "Bill" Sutherland, age 75, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on April 16, 2023, at the Carrington Heath Center with family members nearby.

Bill's visitation will be held at noon on Friday, June 2, with the funeral service directly following at 1:00 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home in Carrington, N.D. Officiating will be Pastor Rick Loewen. Recorded music will include "In the Garden" by Alan Jackson, "Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks and "I Have a Dream" by Abba. The burial will take place at Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown, N.D.

Honorary pallbearers are all of Bill's family and close friends.

Bill was born in Wisconsin, and was adopted at a young age by Gene and Ruth Sutherland. They later moved to Arizona for his sister, Linda's health.

After his parents divorced, his mother met and married Norman "Bud" Sims, a Columbus, North Dakota, farmer; and they moved to Columbus when Bill was 14 years old. He was active in football and baseball during his high school years at Columbus High School.

Later Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS San Pablo, stationed at Philadelphia, Pa., and received the National Defense Service Medal. After he was discharged from the Navy, he enrolled in the auto mechanics course at Wahpeton's State School of Science, where he met his bride to be, Phyllis. They were married July 21, 1967.

Being a multi-talented individual with many interests and a gift for acquiring new skills and accreditations, Bill held different jobs throughout his life that coincided with his interests in cars, electronics, home improvement, and wildlife. Locally he worked at McCurley Chevrolet, for the City of Carrington's street department, several shops in the area as a repairman, and Carrington Extension Research Center as a technician for the fish farm project. He also owned and operated two businesses: Bill's TV and Appliance and most recently Carrington Computers, becoming the local computer guru.

Nearing his retirement years, Bill worked part-time in the electronics section of Menards in Jamestown for about five years. Tired of the long and sometimes dangerous commute, Bill chose instead to work part-time first for New Rockford's Dollar General Store, then Carrington's as it opened.

After a few years, Bill discovered a new interest in gardening and retired from the major retail world to open Dakota Girl Gardens, raising and selling bedding plants, garden produce, and fresh Christmas trees. He loved to raise plants and flowers from seed and watch them grow. He ran the garden business until his death.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors, but especially loved fishing. He received a plaque from the Game and Fish Department for landing a "Whopper" northern pike many years ago. Bill always loved science fiction entertainment and technology, frequently "geeking out" with his family members over the latest great TV/movie find or the newest computer acquisition. Bill was also very fond of cats, often incorporating his rescue cats into his places of business. He saved his most recent rescue cat, Marco Polo, from a busy highway. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and furry felines.

Bill is survived by his wife, Phyllis; son, David; daughters, Penny and Jackie; granddaughter, Faith; and his beloved cat, Marco Polo. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather and sister.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, Carrington and New Rockford, N.D.