William “Bill” Eyrikson Graveline, 77, passed away Tuesday, February 18, at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND

Bill was born August 21, 1942 in Langdon Hospital (ND) to Ena and Laurea Graveline. He was raised in Walhalla, ND and graduated from Walhalla High School class of 1960. He played quarterback on the football team and catcher on the baseball team, proudly representing his Walhalla roots. The opportunity to play with and against local sports legends of that era filled him with immense gratitude. Bill attended the University of North Dakota, earning both a degree in Physical Education (1964) and a Master’s in Physical Education (1966). He played football and baseball for a short time at UND and cherished memories as a college athlete. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and a dedicated UND fan until his last breath. He was seen at many UND football games in the 60s and 70s working the “chain gang,” and occasionally refereeing. In more recent years, Bill was spotted at UND football and hockey games wearing his leather, green and black, Fighting Sioux jacket as a high-spirited spectator.

Upon graduation, Bill was hired as a football coach and teacher in Lakota, ND. Two years later, he accepted a job as an assistant football coach at Grand Forks Central High School and moved his family to an area they would call home for the next 54 years. He taught 5th and 6th grade Physical Education and coached athletic teams at West Elementary School for 38 years. He decided after seeing the grandchildren of his first students come to his classroom, that it was time to retire. In 2002, at the age of 60 years old, he did. He was proud of all his students and celebrated as they achieved success in various occupations and endeavors, eventually raising families of their own. Even after retirement, he was always a teacher and coach to those that knew him. Our family has been blessed to know so many of the students and families that he encouraged during his years as a teacher and coach, thereby expanding his sphere of influence.

While in college, Bill married Wanda Rae Knudson, also of Walhalla. They began dating in the 7th grade and remain together until his dying day (65 years of which 59 were married). Bill and Wanda, as they are affectionately known, raised Bethany, William E. (Billy), Paul and Tim. Family was the utmost priority in Bill’s life. Both Billy and Bethany suffered profound health challenges and passed away early in their young lives. Their deaths took an enormous toll on him. In his quest to find answers to their disease, Bill traced the Graveline family tree back to the first Graveline (Baudreau) that came over from Graveline’s, France, in 1653. He performed this task the old-fashioned way, long before Ancestry.com, by traveling to visit relatives all over the United States and Canada. He met them face-to-face and interviewed them. He has scores of articles and pictures from these interactions that would have otherwise been undiscovered or discarded. The result of his hard work, along with other Graveline relatives, created Les Descendants, one of the only family associations in the United States at that time. He was very proud of his French and Icelandic heritage and enjoyed sharing what he knew with anyone that would listen.

When not busy raising children, teaching, or tracing the family tree, he was a partner and/or owner of local businesses including: The Cycle Shack, The Shirt Shack and Reindeer Property Management. He refereed high school football games, repaired equipment for Royal Athletic, and Riddell in Eastern ND, and Western MN. Bill and Wanda also owned and operated the 511 Reeves Bed and Breakfast from 1990 until 2015, and, as a result, met many interesting people during those years who stayed at their home as guests. Bill and Wanda thrived on visiting with and getting to know all guests over the years, many of which became lifelong friends.

Bill lived a great life, was well respected in the community and positively influenced many people during his life. He was an initial founder of ARC, and a Board Member for ARC and Development Homes, Inc. for many years. He will be forever known as a mentor to athletes, students, teachers and business people in and around Grand Forks. He was a selfless man of principal, hard work and integrity. Bill treated everyone with the utmost respect, never saying a bad word about anyone, a quality his Mother, Ena, passed on to him. Bill was rarely seen not in conversation with someone, even strangers.

Bill was preceded in death by his son Billy, daughter Bethany, mother Ena, father Laurea, step-father Steine Snydal, brother Charles, sister-in-law Jane, and many friends and acquaintances. He is survived by Wanda, son Paul (Donna), Lakeville, MN, grandsons Joseph and Jack, and granddaughter Jenna (Nick) Pecho all of Minneapolis, son Tim (Jill), grand-daughters Anna, Elizabeth, and Lauren, Fargo, ND, brother Robert "Bob" Graveline, Bismarck, step-brother Ted (Caryn) Snydal, Hilton Head, SC and sister-in-law Barbara Graveline, Naperville, IL, and many nieces and nephews.

Bill formally entered the Catholic Church in 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Grand Forks, on Tuesday, February 25^th at 11:00 am. A prayer service will be held Monday evening at Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks with visitation at 5:30 pm and prayer service at 7:30 pm. Interment will be held at later date at St. Boniface Cemetery, Walhalla, ND.