William R. Rudolph, 86, of Belle Fourche, SD and formerly of Fessenden, ND passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Belle Estates Hospice in Belle Fourche, SD.    A Celebration of William's life will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, July 7, 2025 at First Congregational Church in New Rockford, ND with Pastor Shirley Teske officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Fessenden, ND following the reception.

William Ralph Rudolph was born May 8th 1939 to William Oscar Rudolph and Mildred (Messersmith) Rudolph – Nelson in Rugby, ND.   He grew up in Wolford, ND with three brothers and one sister.  While in high school he lived on his uncle, Cecil (Grace) Paul's, dairy farm and attended school in Rugby, ND where he graduated in 1957.   After graduating, he attended the State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, and obtained a degree in electronics and radio communications in 1962. He then moved to Washington state and started working with Boeing airlines on minuteman missiles.

In May 1963, he was drafted and stationed at Fort Lewis Washington working as a dental assistant.  In 1964, he married Vera (Fisher) Rudolph and had four children. In 1965, he was discharged from the army returning to Boeing to work on 747 airplanes. The family then moved back to North Dakota in 1970, living in Oberon and New Rockford while William worked for Sioux manufacturing as plant maintenance. After divorcing Vera, William married Sandra (White) Rudolph in January 1980. They settled in Beulah, ND to raise the children.

William worked as an electrician for North American Coal Corporation and Coteau Properties until he retired in 2000. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion. He loved watching auto racing and football and baseball, spending time on the lake in his boat and skiing, playing Cards and Mexican Train Domino's. William dearly loved his children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them as much as he could.

William is survived by his children, Kevin (Lisa) Rudolph, Kelly (Vicki) Rudolph, Lori (Gary) Dacus and Jennifer (Roger) Bryan; three grandchildren, Marianna Tremaine, Tristan Tremaine and Dan and Jessica (Rudolph) Valenti; Walter Rudolph, Marlene (Burton) Jacobson, Ken (Valerie) Rudolph, and Roger (Renita) Rudolph.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Rudolph; and his parents, William and Mildred Rudolph.