William "Bill" Sharkey

William “Bill” Carl Sharkey was born on November 14th, 1933, to Harland and Viola (Reimstad) Sharkey in Normania Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. He was born and baptized at his home.

Bill went to District 62 School near Lynd, Minnesota through the 8th grade. He rode his “doodlebug” (a little scooter) to the one room schoolhouse. His least favorite subject was spelling. He didn’t participate in sports in high school because he said he had two left feet! He also played hooky from school every once in a while! He finished high school at Hanley Falls, graduating in 1951. He worked hard on his father’s land as a young boy.

After his graduation he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Louis, Washington where he served as a specialist 2nd class. Wanda joined Bill in Washington and the two were married on April 21st, 1956, in Burien, Washington. In 2016 Bill took a trip to Washington with the main goal of finding the church he and Wanda were married in…and he found it! He was all smiles!

After Bill’s honorable discharge, he and Wanda lived in rural Hanley Falls for most of their lives. Bill farmed, raised hogs, and worked part-time as a plumber. His favorite dog was named “Big Boy.” He was born to be a farmer! Later in his life, he and Wanda moved to Hanley Falls where Bill was a full-time plumber.

Bill and Wanda had three children: Tommy, Billy, and Jill. Wanda passed away in 1986, but Bill was very thankful to have his children and grandchildren live near him.

Bill was a member of the Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church, Hanley Falls Legion, and was on the Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church Cemetery Board. He enjoyed bowling in his earlier years and will be remembered by children at Halloween for giving out full size candy bars! Morning coffee and an afternoon of cards was always the highlight of his day!

Bill passed away on Monday, October 30th, 2023, at the age of 89 years, 11 months, and 16 days. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda; parents, Harland and Viola Sharkey; stepmother, Edna Sharkey; grandson, Joey Fry; infant son, Tommy, and brother, Harold.

He is survived by his son, Billy (Sandy) and daughter, Jill (Steve) Fry all of Hanley Falls; grandchildren, Steve (Katie) Fry, Tanya (Bruce) Lundin, Carl (Megan) Sharkey, Brandon Fry, and Steph Fry; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Hunter, and Hayden Fry, Sutton and Finnley McCoss, Brynn and Tessa Lundin, and Jaxon, Cora, and Lakyn Sharkey, and many other family members and more wonderful and caring friends than can be counted.

Bill will be remembered not only for his roles as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, but also as a loyal friend and for his amazing and unforgettable laugh! Blessed be his memory.

Visitation will be Friday, November 3rd, at 9:30 AM at the Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls, followed by the funeral service at 10:30 AM. Burial with military honors to follow in the East Yellow Medicine Lutheran Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Bill" Sharkey, please visit our floral store.