Wilbur (Bill) Bartle

Wilbur (Bill) Bartle, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away at his home on October 14, 2006. He was born December 3, 1919 in Edgeley, N.Dak. to Ben and Ella Hird Bartle, the fifth of ten children. He attended a rural school for the first eight grades, going on to high school in Edgeley, graduating in 1937. He attended Ellendale Normal College graduating in 1941. He taught school in Russell, Minn. for one year before enlisting in the Navy in May 1942. After his basic training he was assigned to the USS Witchita boarding in New York City Harbor September 6, 1942. They saw action in Casablanca, South Pacific and Adak, Alaska. He departed the U.S.S. Witchita May 26, 1943 after being appointed to Midshipman's School at Columbia University in New York City. He graduated the morning of October 20, 1943. Later in the afternoon he was united in marriage to Carol L Carlson, his high school sweetheart. The marriage took place in the chapel of Riverside Church In New York City. Soon after graduation he was assigned to gunnery school aboard the USS New York at Norfolk, Virginia. He served as turret gunnery officer aboard the USS Alabama battleship in the South Pacific.

He was discharged from the Navy in 1945 arriving home in October and being discharged in November. In the fall of 1946 he taught school in Valley City N. D. for 11 years before moving to Billings in 1957. He was a teacher at Lewis and Clark Jr. High where he taught Mechanical Drawing and Science. He retired in 1976 and continued doing construction until 1990 when he spent more time with his hobby of making furniture for his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Carol, three children, Denis (Glennae), Janice Bartram, and David (Cindy), 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Surviving siblings include Art (Adeline), Ruby, Fred (Gertrude), Vernon(Faye).

His mother and father, two sisters and three brothers preceded him in death. Cremation has taken place and memorial service plans are pending.

Memorials in his honor may be given to American Lung Association.