William "Willie" Upton
d. May 28, 2022
William “Willie” Upton, age 81, of Granite Falls, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022, at his home surrounded by family. Visitation will be held Friday, June 3, 2022 from 3:00-5:00 PM at Wing-Bain Funeral Home and the celebration will continue at the Granite Falls Golf Course.
William Stuart Upton was born on November 18, 1940 in Dawson, Minnesota, he was the son of Bertie and Alice (Allan) Upton. He was baptized and confirmed at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Marietta, Minnesota. William attended school in Marietta and graduated in 1959, he moved shortly to the Cities for work but soon came back home.
It was upon his return that he took Carol Dahle on more dates and on October 7, 1961 they were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marietta. Shortly after the wedding, William applied for a job at Plews Manufacturing and they relocated to Granite Falls and made this community their home. The couple were blessed with three children, Penny, Steve and Sheri.
William took a job with the United Telephone Systems Company working there for a total of 28 years and it was here he gained his beloved nickname, Willie. In 1979, Willie and Carol opened Willie’s Corner Store, becoming a Granite Falls icon for years because of the welcoming atmosphere that they showed to their customers. He also served the community first with the rescue squad and later the Granite Falls Fire Department ending his 22 year career as the Fire Chief. When Willie retired he enjoyed driving for Prairie Five, Project Turnabout and taking kidney dialysis patients to their appointments until he had heart surgery in 2017.
Willie enjoyed having coffee in the morning at Tillies and later at the Grinder with the crew. He enjoyed card games, throwing dice and golfing until his health wouldn’t allow for it. Willie and Carol purchased a cabin on Lake Amelia and it was here that many cherished memories were made. He liked to make bird houses and other wood working projects. Willie loved his family and watching everyone grow up was his delight.
Willie and Carol built their dream home in 2003 after fighting two floods and he was fortunate enough to have his final days in the home he loved. Blessed be his memory.
Willie is survived by his loving wife, Carol Upton of Granite Falls; children, Penny (Paul) Krogstad of Granite Falls, Steve (Anna) Upton of Bloomington, Sheri (Lee) Parliament of Granite Falls; grandchildren, Dean (Natalie) Krogstad, Derek (Jordan) Krogstad, Dallas (special Friend, Jamie Beavers) Stadick, Mike (Katie) Upton, Michelle (Mike) Desaulniers, Alexa (Aasa) Just, Tess Upton, Jacob Upton, Jesse Upton, Brandon (Jackie) Parliament, Ashley Parliament; great grandchildren, Avery, Keegan, Kenidy, Olivia, Trevin, Owen, Christopher, Logan, Chase, Harper, Eli, Karsen; brother and sisters-in-law, Ed (JoAnn) Dahle, Patsy Harstad, Marion Upton; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Willie is preceded in death by his parents, Bertie and Alice Upton; brothers, Dale Upton, Arden Upton; brother-in-law, Kenny Harstad.
William Stuart Upton was born on November 18, 1940 in Dawson, Minnesota, he was the son of Bertie and Alice (Allan) Upton. He was baptized and confirmed at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Marietta, Minnesota. William attended school in Marietta and graduated in 1959, he moved shortly to the Cities for work but soon came back home.
It was upon his return that he took Carol Dahle on more dates and on October 7, 1961 they were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marietta. Shortly after the wedding, William applied for a job at Plews Manufacturing and they relocated to Granite Falls and made this community their home. The couple were blessed with three children, Penny, Steve and Sheri.
William took a job with the United Telephone Systems Company working there for a total of 28 years and it was here he gained his beloved nickname, Willie. In 1979, Willie and Carol opened Willie’s Corner Store, becoming a Granite Falls icon for years because of the welcoming atmosphere that they showed to their customers. He also served the community first with the rescue squad and later the Granite Falls Fire Department ending his 22 year career as the Fire Chief. When Willie retired he enjoyed driving for Prairie Five, Project Turnabout and taking kidney dialysis patients to their appointments until he had heart surgery in 2017.
Willie enjoyed having coffee in the morning at Tillies and later at the Grinder with the crew. He enjoyed card games, throwing dice and golfing until his health wouldn’t allow for it. Willie and Carol purchased a cabin on Lake Amelia and it was here that many cherished memories were made. He liked to make bird houses and other wood working projects. Willie loved his family and watching everyone grow up was his delight.
Willie and Carol built their dream home in 2003 after fighting two floods and he was fortunate enough to have his final days in the home he loved. Blessed be his memory.
Willie is survived by his loving wife, Carol Upton of Granite Falls; children, Penny (Paul) Krogstad of Granite Falls, Steve (Anna) Upton of Bloomington, Sheri (Lee) Parliament of Granite Falls; grandchildren, Dean (Natalie) Krogstad, Derek (Jordan) Krogstad, Dallas (special Friend, Jamie Beavers) Stadick, Mike (Katie) Upton, Michelle (Mike) Desaulniers, Alexa (Aasa) Just, Tess Upton, Jacob Upton, Jesse Upton, Brandon (Jackie) Parliament, Ashley Parliament; great grandchildren, Avery, Keegan, Kenidy, Olivia, Trevin, Owen, Christopher, Logan, Chase, Harper, Eli, Karsen; brother and sisters-in-law, Ed (JoAnn) Dahle, Patsy Harstad, Marion Upton; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Willie is preceded in death by his parents, Bertie and Alice Upton; brothers, Dale Upton, Arden Upton; brother-in-law, Kenny Harstad.
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