Bill Fairbridge

Final Bell has rung for Robert (Bill) Fairbridge, 70 of Larimore, ND on Nov. 8th 2017. Bill fought a long hard battle with his health until God decided it was time for him to take his final journey to peace and rest.

Bill was born July 12, 1947 in Ogdensburg, NY, the son of Pete & Lois (Barkley) Fairbridge. He graduated from Madrid-Waddington High School, NY in 1967 and joined the United States Air Force as a Fireman in 1967 and was Stationed at the GFAFB, Emerado, ND. Bill was united in Marriage to Judy Besaw of Chase Mills, NY on Sept. 28th, 1968. He was then stationed in Guam and Florida only to return back to ND in 1974. Upon receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force, he continued his career as a Fireman Civil Service from 1974 until his retirement in 1998. After retirement Bill worked for Mutch Oil, Larimore, ND.

Bill loved his job as a Fireman and shared his love through volunteering on the Larimore Fire Department for 43 years until his health no longer allowed him to do so.

Bill never liked to sit still so on his off days he worked with Doug Johnson on his farm till Doug’s passing, then continued on with Art Larson until 1998.

Bill, also known as “Yakky” to many, had a gift of gab like no one else. There was never silence in a room when he was around and if there was it was because he was eating. He never judged, hated, discriminated or met a person that wouldn’t later call him Friend. He was a man that would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it and was always willing to help anyone no matter who it was.

Bill loved his Family more than life itself. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. CHF took a toll on Bill’s physical ability to do all things he loved and eventually took away his freedom to be out and about amongst all the people he loved to visit with. Even then he continued his fight to stay here on this earth because he couldn’t bear the thought of having to put his Family through the heartache of losing him. That’s just the kind of man he was.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Judy of 49 years, his fur baby Maggie; daughters Kristina (Brian) Stark, Karyn (Travis) Hendrickson, Kileigh (Heath) Larsen, Donna (Dean) Elfman all of Larimore, ND; grandchildren-Brian & Kobe Stark, Monty, Lily & Daisy Hendrickson, Trinidy, Bransen & Weston Larsen, Todd, Tosha, Trevor & Trina Elfman; greatgrandchild- Tatum Stark; brother-Kimberly (Wanda) Fairbridge, MO brother-in-law Jeff (Kelly) Besaw, IN and Sister-in-law Jackie (Louie) Barkley, NY
& many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Pete, mother Lois, sister Renee Sovie, nephew Glenn Barkley & sister-in-law Jill Mauldin.

FUNERAL SERVICES: 1:00 p.m. Sunday, November 12, 2017 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Larimore.

VISITATION: Saturday, November 11 beginning at 6 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service held in St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service in the church on Sunday.

INTERMENT: Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore.

MILITARY HONORS: Ted Valerius Post 97 of the Larimore American Legion and the United State Air Force Honor Team.