William "Bill" Bicknell

William “Bill” Bicknell, 62, Bismarck, died Dec. 19, 2015, at CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Pastor Renee Splichal Larson officiating. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Heart River Lutheran Church, 701 16th Ave. S.W., Mandan, where a prayer service and sharing of memories will be held at 7 p.m. Bill was born in Plainfield, N.J. on August 30, 1953, the son of Herbert Stephen Bicknell and Dorothy (Boyd) Bicknell. Bill graduated from Watchung Hills Regional High School in 1971. He continued his education at the University of Maine at Orono, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology in 1976. Bill married Susan Johnson Griffin on March 5, 1978 in Manchester, Maine. The Bicknells moved to Bismarck in 1980 where Bill served wildlife resources in North Dakota for over thirty years as a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He will be remembered for his communication skills, and ability to bring people with opposing views to common ground on behalf of the natural resources he loved. In 2012 he received the North Dakota Award from The N.D. Chapter of The Wildlife Society and a partnership award from the N.D. Game & Fish Department for his contribution to the conservation of the Missouri River and Yellowstone River Confluence. Bill’s community involvement included umpiring for Little League games, donating over 29 gallons of blood, mentoring at the Youth Correctional Center, serving as a board member of the North Dakota Conservation Foundation, and on the church council for Heart River Lutheran Church. Bill was a natural provider, whether it be fish and game for the table, garden produce for family and friends, or seeds for the birds in his yard, he was productive and generous. We all will miss his ready smile, wisdom, and understanding. Bill had unwavering love, thoughtfulness, caring, and a gracious spirit which he shared freely with each of us. Bill is survived by his wife Susan Griffin Bicknell, Bismarck; mother Dorothy Boyd Bicknell, Warren, N.J.; brothers Stephen Bicknell (Margo Boyd), East Holden, Me.; Peter Bicknell, Warren, N.J.; Paul Bicknell, Warren, N.J.; sons, Seth Bicknell, Bismarck; and Noah Bicknell (Rena), Osaka, Japan; sisters-in-law Margaret Wilson, Winthrop, Me.; Ann Griffin, Pittston, Me.; brother-in-law John Griffin (Jeanette), Portland, Me.; six nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Herbert Stephen Bicknell; mother-in-law Cecily (Johnson) Griffin, father-in-law David Field Griffin; brother-in-law David John Wilson. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Heart River Lutheran Church, Mandan, N.D. or a conservation organization of your choice.