William "Bill" Sobey

William J. (Bill) Sobey 1925-2016 Bill frequently commented that he never thought he would get this old (91 years). He lived a life of quiet faith, strength of character and much humor. He enjoyed people, easily striking up conversations with strangers and friends in stores, on the street, at the local café. Bill was born in Winthrop, MA on April 18, 1925. His parents were from Prince Edwards Island and Nova Scotia and Bill enjoyed summers with relatives there. Choosing to leave high school, he joined the US Navy during WWII and shipped out to the Mediterranean Sea as a corpsman on the USS Brooklyn. After the war he completed further Neuro Psychiatric coursework and was assigned to work with recovering soldiers and patients on the psychiatric floor of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C. With great charm and persistence he convinced a pretty nurse (Carol) to marry him. After leaving the Navy, he trained and worked as a plumber-pipefitter and completed his GED. They moved their family to Carol’s hometown of Hill City, MN. He continued as a plumber-steamfitter working mainly on commercial buildings throughout the region, even internationally. In an effort to focus on his family, he completely switched occupations and became the Standard Oil Station operator in Hill City. He learned a new skill set with the help of friends. Often he helped people with plumbing or transportation needs trusting in their goodness to repay. He was a conscientious parent, a church leader, active in the community-PTA, School Board, Masonic Lodge, and Justice of the Peace. In 1970, his highway patrol friends persuaded him to run for county sheriff. That election was a success as well as the next four, and Bill served as Aitkin County Sheriff for 20 years. Once again he developed another skill set, with the aid of the FBI, law enforcement classes and his experienced staff. Upon retiring, Bill and Carol travelled extensively in their RV through the US and Canada. In 1993 they surprised their children declaring their purchase of a home in Sunsites, AZ and said good-bye to the cold winters. He was a member of the Willcox UMC and active in the Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Valley Telephone Nominating Committee, the Library Board and with the Senior Citizen Group. He assisted with building projects such as the Library Book Store, the Sr. Center in Sunsites, and the UMC Preschool in Willcox. He helped neighbors with plumbing and other needs. Even when walking became difficult, he drove his truck while another Lion’s member placed and took down flags. He so enjoyed coffee time with friends. He loved the wide-open sky and the SE landscape, as well as the lakes and forests of MN. Bill is survived by his 6 children and their spouses, Kathy and Dan O’Reilly of Huntsville, AL, Jim and Diane Sobey of Eden Prairie, MN, Peggy and Dave Stielow of Rio Rancho, NM Don and Barb Sobey of Pearce, Gail and Tim Petersen of Alpine, AZ, Meredith and Jon Bjorkquist of Crosslake, MN, 12 grandchildren and 12 1/3 great-grandchildren. Wife Carol preceded him in death 4 month ago. We will all miss his capacity to listen while offering his perspective, his humor, and his desire to make life better for others without judgement. Memorial services will be at the Willcox United Methodist Church, Monday, Nov. 7 at 2:00. Memorials may be sent in his honor to the Honor Flight, Southern Arizona Chapter, PO Box 3249, Tucson AZ 85751 A joint memorial service for Bill and Carol will be held at the Hill City United Methodist Church with internment at the Hill City Township Cemetery, Saturday, November 12 at 2:00. Memorials may be sent to the MN Sheriffs’ Association 100 Empire Drive, Suite 222, St. Paul, MN 55103-1885. These funds will be used in the training of MN law enforcement officers.

William "Bill" Sobey

April 18, 1925 - October 15, 2016