Willis 'Bill' Doyle, 91

Last call came for longtime Fargo-Moorhead businessman Willis “Bill” Doyle on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at Pioneer House in Fargo, ND. He was 91 years old.

Willis J. Doyle was born Sept. 15, 1926, in Holstein, Iowa, to Clyde and Edna (Kuchel) Doyle. He was the fifth of seven children. He spent his early years in Iowa until the family moved to Kalispell in 1936. He attended Flathead County High School where he excelled as a basketball and track athlete. In the summers he worked as a caddy, which ultimately led to his lifelong enjoyment of golf. It was during this time he met the love of his life, Doris Erickson. They were married in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, on Aug. 21, 1947. Bill and Doris were together for 63 years until her death in 2010.

Bill’s early professional life began with him attending Insurance School in San Francisco, California. He later moved back to Montana to work in management for JC Penney Corporation. His career there took him mostly across the western part of the country. He worked as a troubleshooter of sorts. His specialty was to improve upon underperforming stores. He took pride in working the floor and instilling the importance of customer service and personal relationships in business. This was a trait that served him well throughout his life. Turning around stores led to many moves for Bill and Doris over the years; call it a reward for being successful.

Their daughter Janet was born in Kalispell, and son Mark was born in Moses Lake, Washington. The family also lived in Deer Lodge and Chinook, Nampa, Idaho, and Minot, North Dakota. In 1969, now working for the Gambles Corp., Bill moved the family to Moorhead, Minnesoa. He ran the Tempo store for many years in the former Holiday Mall. After a short time in Menomonie, Wisconsin, they moved back to the F-M area.

In 1980, deciding they wanted to work for themselves, Bill and Doris bought Chub’s Pub in Fargo. He enjoyed going to work every day and interacting with customers, staff and vendors. Bill worked well into his late 70s, never losing his acumen or sense of humor. An early riser, it was not unusual to see his car in the parking lot at 6 a.m. He often worked the bartending shift from 8 a.m. to 9am. He would run his hand across the bar each day making sure it was spotless before the locks turned open. If it wasn’t, he would jokingly ask the closing bartender if “we ran out of towels last night.” Even with a wink and a smile you knew he was serious. He took pride in what he did and was able to balance work and family life; even working beside them on a daily basis. In retirement he made time to stop in and check “how’s business.” He was still quick with a joke or a fact right up until the day he passed away.

Bill was a member of the Elks, Lions and Eagles clubs. He and Doris would spend many weekends out dancing. In most of the cities he lived in he was a member of the local country club, with Moorhead Country Club being his last. He was an accomplished golfer, placing near the top in many club tournaments (he won in Chinook). He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially trips to Lake Of The Woods. Many times you would find him watching an outdoor or hunting program on television. He was an NDSU Team Maker and like many he loved the Bison. Visiting with the many NDSU students and alumni at Chub’s was a common occurrence. His favorite pro football team was the Miami Dolphins and he liked watching sports in general. This included following his kids and grandchildren’s many activities over the years. He would still inquire how Mark finished in local golf tournaments and how grandkids concerts went. Bill and Doris loved to travel; going to Florida and Arizona in the winter and Montana and Canada in the summer to see family. Family was first and foremost to Bill. Holidays and Sunday dinners were always days he looked forward to, not only because he was pretty good in the kitchen, but he loved the activity and spending time around loved ones.

His smile was infectious. His generosity, wit and laugh could fill a stadium. He made being friendly, intelligent and respected look so effortless. Qualities that are easy to say about a man, but Bill truly lived and personified them. For that he will be missed by many.

Bill is survived by his children, Janet Ramstad and Mark Doyle; grandchildren, Jason Ramstad, Brett (Ronda) Ramstad and Erin (Matt) Welle; great-grandchildren, Avery and Kellan Ramstad, and Declan, Camden and Kye Welle; siblings, Don Doyle and Joe Kucera; special friend, Jeannette Evensen and many more nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Edna Doyle; wife, Doris Doyle; siblings, Phyllis Hartsoch, Roger Doyle, Maxine Pickerel, and Marlene Carr; son-in-law, Duane Ramstad; and daughter-in-law, Kathryn Doyle.

Visitation will be Monday, July 9, from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service to follow at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, 215 Seventh St. S., Fargo.

The funeral will be Tuesday, July 10, at 11 a.m. (visitation at 10 a.m.) at First Lutheran Church, 619 N. Broadway, Fargo. (Please use east door).

Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, 2102 Fifth St. S., Fargo. Pastor Laurie Neill will officiate.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Pioneer House in Fargo and Dr. Darin Lang of Sanford Health.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial consideration in Bill’s name to the Pioneer House of Fargo or Roger Maris Pediatric Cancer Center.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting www.hansonrunsvold.com.

Arrangements are by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo.