William "Bill" P. DeWitt Jr.

William “Bill” P. DeWitt Jr., beloved husband, Dad, and Papa, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Sr. and Zona, and his brother, John. He is survived by Patty, his cherished wife of 59 years; his children, Scott, Jon, and Brooke (Chad) Ihlenfeldt; his grandchildren, Caitlyn, Breanna, William, Will, and Jack; his sister-in-law, Jane DeWitt; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Born and raised in the Como Park neighborhood of St. Paul, Bill began his career in the printing industry at 3M before becoming a business owner. He was known for his integrity, hard work, and dedication to his customers, always willing to do whatever it took to get the job done.

An Eagle Scout in his youth, Bill carried the values of leadership, service, and integrity throughout his life. Those qualities were reflected in his business, his friendships, and his unwavering commitment to helping others.

His passions extended far beyond his career. Bill cherished time at his cabin on Lake Vermilion, where countless memories were made with family and friends. For the last 16 years, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of being a cattle rancher in South Dakota, where he loved the land, the animals, and the people. He and Patty looked forward to spending their winters together at their home in Tucson, Arizona. Whether at the lake, in the fields of South Dakota, or under the Arizona sun, Bill embraced every opportunity to enjoy the people he loved and the places that brought him peace.

Bill was an avid golfer and outdoorsman whose fun-loving personality made it easy for him to turn strangers into lifelong friends. He loved introducing others to his passion for the outdoors, sharing unforgettable hunting adventures in Alaska, Colorado, Mexico, Minnesota, and South Dakota with both new and old friends. Whether on the golf course or in a duck blind, Bill’s laughter, generosity, and gift for bringing people together created friendships that lasted a lifetime.

For many years, Bill organized and hosted Hunt for the Cure, an annual event benefiting children battling cancer—a cause that was especially meaningful to him.

Above all, Bill’s greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, a loving Dad, and a proud Papa whose love, guidance, and unwavering support shaped the lives of those he cherished most. His family will forever hold close the memories, laughter, traditions, and unconditional love he shared so freely.

Bill’s legacy lives on in the family he adored, the friendships he cultivated, and the countless lives he touched through his generosity and compassion. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered every day.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held from 2-6 PM Thursday, August 20th with a time of sharing at 4 PM at Dellwood Country Club, Dellwood.