William Klemetson

William “Billy” Klemetson, 87, Bismarck, passed away Friday, July 21, 2023.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 28, at McCabe United Methodist Church, 1030 N. 6th St., Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 pm. Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide, Bismarck.

Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.

William “Billy” Klemetson was born on March 1, 1936 to Tellef and Ingeborg (Halvorson) Klemetson in Hillsboro, ND. He attended school in Hillsboro through the 8^th grade.  He then went to work until he was able to start his own farm near Hillsboro.  On June 19, 1955, he married Theodora “Teddy” Slette and together they raised four children.

In 1969, they moved to Bismarck where they started up a Bonanza Restaurant. They then opened Bonanza's in Mandan, North Dakota; Dickinson, North Dakota; Billings, Montana; Waterloo, Iowa; Cedar Falls, Iowa; Davenport Iowa; and East Moline, Illinois. They also owned the Skyline Motel in Bismarck all while continuing to farm in the Bismarck area. They retired from farming in 2012. Theodora passed away in 2021.

Bill enjoyed restoring antique cars and tractors and was always working on one or more projects.  He was also active in McCabe United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his son, Paul (Evie) Klemetson, Bismarck; daughter, Peggy Schatz, Waterloo, Iowa, nine grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Lynn and Andy; brothers, Hansel, Art and Tellef Jr.; sisters, Helen Letness and Thelma Anderson.