Obituary of Arthur W. Lillevig

Arthur W. “Bill” Lillevig passed away in Falls Church, Virginia, on January 6, 2015. Bill was born in Lake of the Woods, Minnesota November 19, 1925, but moved to Sheyenne, as a small boy, where his father purchased a farm. Bill remained in Sheyenne through high school graduation in 1944 when he joined the United States Merchant Marines in World War Two, beginning his love of travel and a wanderlust that remained with him his entire lifetime. He started college at North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU) in 1949, graduating in 1955 with a degree in history. He first teaching job was in Montana, then Ohio, then overseas with the Department of Defense Schools. In Nurnberg, Germany, he met and married Diana Wickman. They returned to Falls Church, Virginia, where he taught at Falls Church High School until his retirement in 1985. In his lifetime, Bill visited all 50 states and 100 different countries. But no matter where Bill wandered in this world, his heart never left North Dakota or the farm life, and North Dakota State University likewise always held a special place in his heart. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Diana Lillevig, his daughter Grace Heffernan, his son-in-law Patrick Heffernan, and his grandson Jacob Heffernan. His memorial service is at 2:00 PM Monday, January 19th, 2015, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd. in Arlington, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Lillevig Education Scholarship, c/o NDSU Development Foundation, 1241 N. University Dr., Fargo, ND 58102.