William Lee Meduna, 74, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, December 12, 2022, with his loving wife by his side. Bill’s Mass will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Justin Waltz as celebrant. Military Honors will be provided by the Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Ross Reiter presiding. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the church.
William Lee “Bill” was born December 10, 1948 to William and Mary (Young) Meduna in Dickinson. Throughout his childhood, Bill enjoyed visiting and working on the Polenksy’s farm. Fishing the banks of the Heart River and tinkering with anything he could get his hands on. As a teen, Bill’s love for cars and all things with motors became more apparent. He graduated from Dickinson High School in 1967. After high school, he was employed by Interstate Mobil in Dickinson as a Filling Station Attendant and Mechanic. Little did he know, this is where he’d meet the love of his life, Lydia Emmil. Bill and Lydia were married on December 30, 1970 at St. Mary’s Church in South Heart.
Bill was drafted and served in the United States Army from February 6, 1970 to December 29, 1971. During his time in the Army, he completed training at Fort Riley, Kansas and Fort Lewis, Washington. Bill was then stationed at USASA Field Station Augsburg in Germany. Lydia and her brother, Gary, were able to join him in Germany allowing them to experience Oktoberfest and trips across Europe during his time deployed.
Bill returned home to Dickinson and began working at Cenex Car Care Center, Construction Associates and then Wyoming Casing until his injury in 1984. After his injury, Bill became Mr. Mom to their children while Lydia went back to work. He truly loved taking care of his family; meals were always hot, ready and made with so much love. His infamous dinner-bell whistle could be heard for blocks. Most summers, you could find the Meduna family traveling across the USA, visiting family and friends along the way. Lots of miles and memories were made on their adventures.
Bill had a green thumb and a knack for gardening and canning the fruits of his labor. He was an avid NHRA fan and went to multiple races in Brainerd, MN with his buddy, Al Halter. Bill loved the outdoors; taking his family on many camping trips and fishing. He enjoyed shooting pool, bowling and volleyball couple’s leagues with Lydia.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lydia, Dickinson; children, Gregory (Angie) Meduna, Bismarck, Mark (Amelia) Meduna, Miles City, MT, Jon (Kelli) Meduna, Boise, Idaho, Kristen Coleman, Dickinson and Brittany Meduna, Boise; 12 grandchildren; siblings, Marilyn (Clarence) Heinrich, Dickinson, James (Becky) Meduna, Dickinson, Robert (Shirley) Meduna, Olathe, KS, Florence (Jerry) Gibbons, Frazee, MN, Alena (Richard) Praus, Fargo, Melvin (Dorothy) Meduna, Dickinson, and Donna (Dave) Frenzel, New Hradec.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Meduna; in-laws, Pete and Leaocadia Emmil; beloved daughter-in-law, Stacey Lee Meduna.
