1924
William
2005
William Griffith
September 12, 1924 — September 24, 2005
William Claire Griffith was born on September 12, 1924 in Mason City, Iowa to parents, Kirby and Eva Rae (Griffith) Griffith. He graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving in WWII. Bill married Joyce Hanson on December 5, 1948 in Northome, MN. After a few years of dairy farming, Bill joined the Minnesota State Patrol in 1961, and was stationed at Morris for his entire 24-year career in law enforcement. He retired from his Minnesota State Trooper position in 1985. Joyce passed away in 1982 after a two-year illness that required her loving husband's dedicated care and attention. After many years of friendship, Bill and Rosemary Murphy were married on June 17, 1998. Rosemary passed away in 2001.
Bill was a member of First Lutheran church as well as the VFW, Legion, Eagles and the State Troopers Association. He was an avid (hacker) golfer and enjoyed dancing, skiing and traveling. Also, the Don's CafAsh morning coffee crew was one of Bill's favorite "recreation". And even though he was a tough customer to please, he said many times to his kids that he appreciated greatly the care he received from the Sky View Court staff. However, Bill was most dedicated to doing a good job raising his five children, and in later years enjoying the times spent with his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his daughters: Lyn (Mark) Sowieja of Stewartville, and their children Kim (Tabe) Medill and Tim (Jody) Sowieja; Patricia (Dave) Lembcke of Hutchinson, and their children Sara and Kris; sons: Richard (Dawn) Griffith of Duluth and their children Eric (Brianne) Griffith and Beth (Pat) Cleary; Thomas (Linda) Griffith of Pedee, OR and their daughter Lisa; and Robert (Laura) Griffith of Morris and their children Ryan, Brady and Josh; step-children Barb (Don) Kampmeier of Inver Grove Heights, Colleen (Ed) Kill of Monticello, Connie (Mark) Graff of Fergus Falls, Kathy Murphy of Ottertail and Bob (Denise) Murphy of Ramsey; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren, 14 step-grandchildren; and 8 step-great-grandchildren; brother: Ralph "Tom" (Elsie) Griffith and sister: Elizabeth Brewer. Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce; second wife, Rosemary and his parents.
Pallbearers for the service will be grandchildren: Tim Sowieja, Eric Griffith, Ryan Griffith, Kris Lembcke, Brady Griffith, Josh Griffith, Kim Medill, Lisa Griffith, Beth Cleary and Sara Lembcke. Honorary pallbearers for the service will be the "Don's Coffee Crew". Deb Mahoney will serve as organist and Ken Hodgson will serve as soloist.
Bill was a member of First Lutheran church as well as the VFW, Legion, Eagles and the State Troopers Association. He was an avid (hacker) golfer and enjoyed dancing, skiing and traveling. Also, the Don's CafAsh morning coffee crew was one of Bill's favorite "recreation". And even though he was a tough customer to please, he said many times to his kids that he appreciated greatly the care he received from the Sky View Court staff. However, Bill was most dedicated to doing a good job raising his five children, and in later years enjoying the times spent with his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his daughters: Lyn (Mark) Sowieja of Stewartville, and their children Kim (Tabe) Medill and Tim (Jody) Sowieja; Patricia (Dave) Lembcke of Hutchinson, and their children Sara and Kris; sons: Richard (Dawn) Griffith of Duluth and their children Eric (Brianne) Griffith and Beth (Pat) Cleary; Thomas (Linda) Griffith of Pedee, OR and their daughter Lisa; and Robert (Laura) Griffith of Morris and their children Ryan, Brady and Josh; step-children Barb (Don) Kampmeier of Inver Grove Heights, Colleen (Ed) Kill of Monticello, Connie (Mark) Graff of Fergus Falls, Kathy Murphy of Ottertail and Bob (Denise) Murphy of Ramsey; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren, 14 step-grandchildren; and 8 step-great-grandchildren; brother: Ralph "Tom" (Elsie) Griffith and sister: Elizabeth Brewer. Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce; second wife, Rosemary and his parents.
Pallbearers for the service will be grandchildren: Tim Sowieja, Eric Griffith, Ryan Griffith, Kris Lembcke, Brady Griffith, Josh Griffith, Kim Medill, Lisa Griffith, Beth Cleary and Sara Lembcke. Honorary pallbearers for the service will be the "Don's Coffee Crew". Deb Mahoney will serve as organist and Ken Hodgson will serve as soloist.
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