WILLIAM (BILLY) RICKFORD

WILLIAM (BILLY) RICKFORD

William Earl (Bill, Billy) Rickford pulled up his boots and took his last ride to the heavenly gates on May 1, 2022 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota due to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Born July 26, 1944 to Earl and Helen (Simenson) Rickford in Sharon, ND.  He attended country school until 8th grade and graduated from Binford High School in 1962.  He grew up on the family farm, located near Red Willow Resort.  He spent much of his time at the lake swimming, skiing, roller skating and attending dances.

He married Cheryl Larson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Binford on September 3, 1966.  He graduated from Valley City State in 1967 and commenced teaching  school for 3 1/2 years.

They moved back to the Binford area farm in 1971 where he worked for the Cooperstown veterinary for 3 years.  He then began farming and ranching where he had corrals and pastures full of beef cattle and quarter horses..  As the farming crisis of the 1980's took a toll, Bill ventured to a new career in OTR trucking.  After a few short years, he went back to his passion of ranching and raising beef cattle.  

By his early 20's, Bill had a love for rodeo and bucking horses.  After his first rodeo, he was hooked and competed in bareback riding across North Dakota for about 20 years.  He was the 1977 NDRA runner-up bareback rider and the 1980 – 1981 President of the NDRA

Bill was a member of the Binford Rodeo Club for many years, and was instrumental in bringing the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) tour to Binford.  Bill and Cheryl enjoyed attending the PBR finals in Las Vegas for many years.

After retirement, he would go for rides with Cheryl and for visits with grandkids  While at home one would find him watching a rodeo or a western on tv or spoiling his dog Bailey or the kittens.

He is survived by his loving and supportive wife, Cheryl: Son, Scott (Heidi Gustafson), Medina, MN: Daughter Stephanie (Damen) Kjervestad, West Fargo, ND: Grandchildren Chase, Braden, Mason: Sister Patricia Hall, Thief River Falls, MN: Brother-in-law Dwight Larson, Wolf Point, MT.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church, Binford or Red Willow Ministry, Binford. Pspcbdfoundation or a charity of choice.

Memorial Service will be Monday, May 9, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Binford, ND.  Visitation will be Monday from 9:30 till 11:00