William Kenneth Deutscher

William "Bill" Deutscher was born on December 6, 1939, to Edward and Aneta Deutscher on the family farm west of Streeter, North Dakota. He often shared fond memories of his childhood, including horse-drawn sleigh rides to school and the warm cookies lovingly baked by his mother.

After graduating from Streeter High School, Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a PFC-2 heavy equipment operator. In 1966, he married Sandra (Rivinius), and together they made their home in Streeter, where they raised their two children, Lance and Aneta. Bill and Sandy continued to live in the same home throughout their nearly 60 years of marriage.

Bill was a true jack-of-all-trades. Over the years, he held a variety of jobs, including owner of a Standard Oil Company station, truck driver, bus driver, school janitor, and employee at the Cavendish Farms potato plant. No matter the role, he was known for his strong work ethic and dedication.

He took great pride in maintaining his home and yard and found joy in the simple pleasures of life. Bill loved baseball, NDSU football, fishing, and spending time outdoors. When savoring a special moment, he was known to say, “Now this is living.”

A kind and loving soul, Bill was quick to offer a smile and made everyone feel welcome. He cherished time with his family, and his grandchildren brought him immense pride and happiness. Ice cream was one of his favorite treats, and he never missed a chance to enjoy it.

In his later years, Bill faced several health challenges with remarkable strength and resilience. He became well known—and even featured on a billboard—for his regular visits to the Jamestown Medical Center, where he formed close bonds with the staff during his weekly infusion treatments. Despite his determination, he struggled to recover from shoulder surgery in the fall of 2024 and passed away on August 17, 2025.

Bill will be deeply missed for his gentle heart, unwavering kindness, and love of life’s simple joys.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Aneta; and his siblings, Reinhold Deutscher, Walter Deutscher, Lydia (Deutscher) Moos, and Alfred Deutscher. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Sandy; his brother Wes Deutscher; his children Lance (Christie) Deutscher and Aneta (Ricky) Stewart; and his grandchildren, Kendall and Dylan, along with a large extended family.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be announced at a later date.