ROY (BILL) JACOBSON

Roy "Bill" William Jacobson 88 passed away in his home May 11th 2025. Bill was a great man. The best dad and grandpa we could have ever asked for. He will be missed by many but is now reunited with his wife and other family members and old friends.

Bill was born November 27th 1936 in Finley North Dakota the son of Ted and Clara Jacobson. Bill grew up and attended school in Finley graduating from Finley High School. He enlisted in the Air Force after high school and served for four years. He felt he was so lucky to be able to be stationed in Oahu, Hawaii. On January 20 1961 he married Marlys Johnson of Hope, North Dakota. They spent four years in Bottineau North Dakota where Bill worked for the local newspaper. During that time they had welcomed a daughter Sandra and a year later a son Donny. They moved back to Finley and Bill worked for the Steele County Press writing the sports column and setting up and running the printer. They then welcomed their last child Jeffrey. Bill and Marlys then went on to purchase the local Anderson Store and named it The Finley Variety. They ran the store for 31 years until they retired. While Bill and Marlys had the store he also painted houses, had a cleaning business and was a relief mail carrier for many years. He was only retired for a short time and went to work at Fettings Frozen Foods for many years until he broke his hip and had to retire.

Bill enjoyed doing so many things in his spare time. He hunted, golfed and was so proud of his hole in one, he was a great photographer, loved to exercise, shoot baskets, ride bike, read books, do crossword puzzles he said to keep his mind sharp, he had a garden every year and shared his many tomatoes with neighbors, family and friends. I think what he loved most was his time with family and friends, joking around with the grandkids and all the people he got to visit with when he had the Variety Store.

He is survived by his daughter, Sandra (Sam) Neubauer, Breckenridge, MN. Son Jeff (Sherry) Jacobson, Finley, ND. Brother Terry (Harriet) Jacobson Dewey, AZ. Grandchildren, Great grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Marlys, son Donald, parents Ted and Clara, mother and father in law Conrad and Winnie Johnson. sister Lucille, brothers Donald (Elaine) and Gordon (Gloria). In laws Ronald and Marlyn Knight, Del and Phyllis Erdmann, Conrad and Darlene Johnson.

Memorial Service will Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the Finley Lutheran Church at 1:00 pm, visitation will be one hour before services. Interment will be in the Finley Cemetery with full Military Honors.