William "Bill" Verploegen died Nov. 15, 2020 at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls due to Covid-19. He was 86.

Bill attended Cottonwood School and then continued farming with his parents, John and Margaret Verploegen 25 miles north of Havre. Bill loved and took very good care farming the land of his father's homestead and more acquired later. He also raised cattle, white-faced Herefords and later black Angus.

He was a member of St. John's Church at Cottonwood and later St. Jude Thaddeus after he moved to Havre in 1998.

Bill liked to read and enjoyed geography and mathematics.  He often surprised family members with quick calculations done in his head while they were still looking for a pencil and paper.

Bill is survived by a brother Al (Carol) Verploegen, Great Falls, and a sister, Hildegaard Verploegen, Ewa Beach, Hawaii and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Anton, Hans, Paul and Karl, and sisters, Elizabeth Price and Mary Verploegen.

Services are not being held because of Covid-19 precautions on gatherings. A memorial service will be planned in the spring and his ashes will be buried at Cottonwood Cemetery. Prayers and memorials will be welcomed at St. Jude's Church, Parish Center Building Debt, P.O. Box 407, Havre, Montana 59501 or to the charity of one's choice.  Please visit Bill's online memorial page at www.hollandbonine.com to leave a message of condolence for his family.