William David Forbes, 74, Rural Sawyer died on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 in a Minot hospital.

Bill was born on January 29, 1935 in Minot, ND to George and Edith (Carroll) Forbes. He was reared and educated in Logan prior to moving with his family to a farm in New Prairie Township of Ward County when he was fifteen years old. As a young adult he assisted with the operation of the family farm.

Bill married Wanda Mae Olson on March 8, 1959 in Minot. They made their home on the Forbes family farm where they raised small grains and dairy cattle. In addition, Bill drove a bus for Bell School and was employed as a truck driver by Sundre Sand & Gravel, Bruce Beeter Trucking and Minot Livestock as well as Cenex for seventeen years. Wanda died on May 14, 2007, but Bill continued to reside on the farm.

Bill was a member of the St. Peter's Lutheran Church - Sawyer, New Prairie Township Board for thirty-five years, Sawyer Senior Citizens and Teamsters Union. He especially enjoyed woodworking, traveling, hunting and helping area farmers especially Bob Whitted. He was well known for giving everyone a bad time and always getting the last word.

His loving family includes his children: Diane (Ray) Helseth of Burlington, James (TJ ) Forbes of Cartwright, ND, Sally (David) Hand of Minot, Kathy (David) Woodall of Granville, Kevin (Robin) Forbes of Minot and Dean (Laura) Forbes of Minot; grandchildren: Joshua and Mitch Ofsthun, Brian and David Hand, Michelle, Margo, Maggie and MacKenzie Woodall; Justin, Ryan and Erin Forbes; Ethan and Jay Forbes; Mark and Samantha Forbes; great grandchildren: Jacob Hill and Lakin Schneider; sisters: Ellen Hedstrand of Minot, Eileen Brummond of Granville; Leone (Arlyn) Brummond of Laramie, WY; brothers: Robert (Evie) Forbes of Medford, OR, Dale (Merlene) Forbes of Atmore, AL and Rolland (Loretta) Forbes of Ada, OK; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Wanda and grandson: Michael Woodall.

Funeral Service: Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Peter's Lutheran Church - Sawyer;
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot;
Visitation: Saturday from noon until 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot;
Memorials are preferred to the Sawyer Senior Citizens Center.