William G. Klym, 92, Dickinson, died Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson. William’s Parastas will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2012 at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Belfield, with Fr. Taras Miles as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fairfield. Military honors will be provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post #144. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, at Ladbury Funeral Service with a rosary & time of sharing at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
William George Klym was born on April 9, 1919, on the family farm, northeast of Gorham to his parents George and Hafia (Chorney) Klym. He attended Gorham Grade School and then graduated from Model High School in Dickinson. After two years at Dickinson State Teachers College, he taught at “Dick’s School” near Belfield.
On May 5, 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy and became a medic in the 3rd Marine Division. In World War II, William served on the Pacific front in the Philippines, New Zealand, Samoa, and at the close of the war in Japan. Between his two Pacific Navy tours, William received medic training in North Carolina at Duke University, where he became a life-long Duke fan. In December, 1945 William was discharged from the Navy as a Pharmacist’s Mate, First Class.
William married Josephine Kanski on January 22, 1946 at St. Demetrius Church in Fairfield. Later that year he began a career as a railroad agent and telegrapher for the Great Northern in northeastern Montana and western North Dakota. Most of William’s railroad tenure was in Cartwright and Alexander where their six children were raised. While in Alexander, William also began a part-time business career as a Life & Health Insurance Agent for American Life & Casualty.
After thirty-five years with the railroad, William retired from Burlington Northern in 1981. Five years later he and Josephine then moved to Dickinson, where they were active in the Ukrainian Cultural Institute (UCI) and St. Demetrius Church.
William’s favorite past time was playing his violin for family and at Ukrainian activities. He especially enjoyed playing it for children, who always “danced away” while he made his music. He also enjoyed “his sports”, attending all the Alexander Comets games he could, along with following the Dickinson State Blue Hawks, University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, and Minnesota professional teams.
Besides being a member of UCI and St. Demetrius, William was active in the American Legion and Lions Club in Alexander, and Knights of Columbus in Dickinson.
William is survived by his daughters Donna (Donald) Mrachek, Watford City, Carol (Cyril) Krenz, Osceola, Wis., Dorothy (Daniel) Farrell, Bismarck, Cathy (Michael) Vix, Goodyear, Ariz.; his sons David (Ellen) Klym, Cody, Wyo., Donald (Cindy) Klym, Bismarck; grandchildren, Michael Mrachek, Mark (Michelle) Mrachek, Marty (Jackie) Mrachek, Corey Krenz, Jacqueline, James and Jessica Farrell, Lucy Klym, Stuart (Megan) Klym, Josie (Eric) Stockie, Lindsay (Brock) Halvorson, Courtney Vix, Christopher, Whitney, Sarah, and Amanda Klym; ten great-grandchildren; one sister Betty Baranko, Dickinson and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Josephine, his parents, one sister, Josephine Namyniuk, and three brothers, Metro, Buster and Thomas.
If you wish to make a memorial donation, contributions to the Ukrainian Cultural Institute or St. Demetrius church would be appreciated.
