William Westgard

William "Bill" Westgard, 93, of Duluth, passed away Monday October 13, 2014, after a brief illness at St. Luke's Hospital. He was born on March 10, 1921 to William and Anne Westgard in Duluth. Bill graduated from Central High School in 1941. Bill was a WWII Army Air Corps Veteran. He enlisted December 31, 1941 and discharged October 11, 1945. He served in the 354th Fighter Group, 355th Fighter Squadron. He was an airplane mechanic on fighter aircraft. William painted nose art for his pilot Lowell Brueland on the P-51 "The Grim Reaper". Bill re-enlisted in the Air Guard and was discharged in 1951. He married Colette Reboud on October 15, 1966. Bill was a longtime member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He retired in 1985 from the Duluth School Board as an Engineer. Bill enjoyed nature, fishing, hunting, and loved to draw and paint. Family was most important to Bill and was an especially kind, loving, and gentle man who enjoyed to listen and always lived in the present moment until his last day.

Bill is survived by his wife Colette, son John (Lori) Chruscielski, daughters Anne Westgard and Lisa (Tony Ricker) Westgard, and grandchildren Henry, Tommy, Mae and Elise.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 10AM until the 11AM Funeral Service in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 410 N Arlington Ave, Duluth, MN 55811. Military Honors will be accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. Burial in Park Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home. 600 East 2nd Street. Duluth, MN. 55805. 218-727-3555.