William Duane Ness

William D. Ness

1940 - 2023

William Ness, age 83, passed away peacefully of natural causes in the presence of family on Tuesday, November 7th at Woodbury Senior Living Center. A visitation will be on Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, Minnesota and will continue on Friday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A Memorial Service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 11:00 am. The clergy will be Pastor Mark Astrup. Interment will be at Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield.

Bill was born March 16, 1940, in rural Kasson MN to Francis and Verna (Tvedt) Ness and graduated from Kasson HS in 1958 where he was a standout athlete in football as the quarterback, basketball as point guard, and a distance runner in track. In his senior year Kasson-Mantorville won 18 games in a row before being defeated by Rochester, a much larger school, in the single class district tournament. Bill also held the school record for many years in the mile. He had no thoughts of attending college while in high school, but was inspired to go to college by his football coach.  He worked hard as a young man to put himself through college and graduated from Mankato State University in the spring of 1962 with B.S. degrees in Biological Science, Physical Education, and Driver’s Education. While at MSU he was a four year letterman in both cross country and track. He participated in several NCAA division II and NAIA national events and one year his team took second place in the nation in NCAA II cross country. He was encouraged to pursue teaching and coaching by his college coach Bud Meyers. Bill married Carlene Figy on 06/02/1962.

In the fall of 1962 he came to Litchfield with his new bride Carlene to begin his 36 year teaching career. While a member of the Litchfield faculty Bill taught 7th and 8th grade science, founded and coached cross country, coached track, was a driver’s instruction teacher, was a referee for HS basketball and football, was the middle school athletic director, and was the middle school assistant principal. He truly loved being a teacher and coach and strived to make each student and athlete feel important, and no matter the level of ability always pushed each young person to strive for improvement.

Bill has three children, Jason, Christopher, and Colette who all were LHS graduates. He enjoyed being involved in his children’s development, not only athletically, but as people. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, coaching youth basketball, being active in the community, and attending his children’s school activities. Bill especially enjoyed spending quality time with his family at the cabin on Lake Koronis in Paynesville MN. He was also very handy when it came to home improvement projects and involved his boys at an early age in these various endeavors. Bill and Carlene were divorced in 1995 after 33 years of marriage. Bill was also married to Dynee Fenton from 1999-2019.

Bill is survived by his three children, Jason of Rochester MN, Christopher (Sylvia) of Afton MN, and Colette (Sam) Austin of Mansfield TX; grandson, Jayde Austin of Mansfield TX; sister, Mary (Jerry) Head of Dodge Center MN; sister in law, Sharon Ness of Kasson MN; nephews, Mike (Kris) Ness of Kasson MN, Jon Ness of Seattle WA, Mark (Elise) Ness of Claremont MN, Brian (Tracy) Head of Dodge Center MN, and Greg (Lisa) Head of Fonde Lac WI; and one niece, Karen Lee of Claremont MN. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Verna Ness; brothers, Harold and Myron Ness; and niece, Julie Ness. Longtime family friend, Shannon Asmus is assisting the family through Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye MN.

Bill Ness was an excellent teacher and coach, was well respected in the community, was deeply loved by his family, and will be greatly missed.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)

We’ll meet you at the finish line coach.