William Fahey

William “Bill” Ballard Fahey, 83, Grand Forks, ND, died Saturday, April 11, 2020, at Valley Senior Living Center, with family by his side. 

William B. Fahey, son of Ballard Fahey and Gertrude (Crystal) Fahey, was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, on October 3, 1936.  Being raised across the street from Riverside Park, he enjoyed skating, swimming, fishing, hunting, and especially playing tennis. That proficiency for tennis earned him several medals in state championships while attending Central High School.

Bill served in the US Army Reserves as a Sharpshooter, and during the Berlin Crisis was activated and served as a Medic. Following his military service, he spent nearly 60 years in the construction field, specializing in concrete work. 

Bill married Barbara Leonard on April 30, 1960 and subsequently had 3 daughters, Terri, 1961, Traci, 1962, and Nanci, 1965. He was an avid fisherman and loved gardening, camping, ballroom dancing, cooking, woodworking, and tinkering, creating many unique gadgets around the house. 

Bill and Barb taught Ballroom Dance Classes for over 40 years in Grand Forks and the surrounding area, teaching classes as far away as Chicago.  He was known as the “Dancing Bear” to his students and coworkers. Family and friends remember him as a gentle giant who was fiercely devoted to his family.

He is survived by his wife, Barb; daughters: Terri Berg, Traci (Chuck) Harris, and Nanci (David) Mortimer; 4 granddaughters: Kristin Berg, Meredith, Madeline, and Elaina Mortimer; 3 grandsons: Michael, Trevor, and Cameron Berg; and 1 great-grandson: William Berg.  He was preceded in death by his parents Ballard and Gertrude Fahey and a sister Patricia (Fahey) Hermes.  

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Hampton inn   at 6:00 p.m. on  Thursday June 11, 2020.

At 7:00 p.m. there will be an opportunity to share your favorite memories of time spent with Bill.  

Inurnment was  in North Port, Florida.