William M Isham

William Merle Isham passed away peacefully on Monday, November 25, 2024, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota.

He was born on October 10, 1946, in Cloquet, Minnesota, to William George Isham and Lillian Day.

William is a Combat Veteran, who served proudly in the Army, 1st Logistical Command from 1968 until he was honorably discharged in 1970.

His talent and knowledge were vast. His career included, but was not limited to: Law Enforcement Officer, Federal Bureau of Prisons as a Prison Guard – Stillwater, Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement Officer, Bois Forte Conservation Officer, Heavy Equipment Operator, Sawyer, Millwright, Logistic Specialist 92A, Teacher, and he attended college at Haskell in Kansas to study Welding.

William enjoyed spending time with friends and family, hunting, fishing, driving, motorcycling, martial arts, shooting, reloading, billiards, cooking, beadwork, collecting, and loved to explore new places, new restaurants, shopping, and he especially cherished spending time with his partner in crime and best friend, Chance "Mini-Moosh" Isham. These two were inseparable, it was rare that you would see one without the other. Chance joined his friend to continue their adventures together on December 17, 2024. William was always willing to lend a helping hand and cared deeply for animals. William often spoke about the heartbreak he had to endure as a conservation officer addressing unwanted pets. He was extremely resourceful and if he could not find something he needed, he would build it. Many would say he was a pretty good mechanic, although he would say he was only a mechanic because he had to be.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Grace Elizabeth Isham; his parents; and his siblings: Clint, Ernie, Jake, Lee, Lois, Lazinia, Zenobia, and Roberta.

William is survived by his son, William George Isham (Jannan); his two daughters, Louise Elizabeth Isham and Jennifer Lorainne Isham; his grandchildren: Tyler Buchholz (Crystal), Nicolis Buchholz (Racheal), Shullon Isham/Strong (Kevin), Jake Isham, Alexander Isham; great-grandchildren: Elius and Hazel Strong, Neko Buchholz, Boo Isham, Stella Isham, Molly Isham, Sally Isham, Grace Isham, Allyssa Isham, Graham Isham, Jazmin Buchholz, Gabryl Buchholz, and William Isham.

Pallbearers: Tyler Buchholz, Nicolis Buchholz, Jake Isham, Alexander Isham, Ernie Landgren Jr., and Luke Landgren.

Honorary Pallbearers: William G. Isham, Shullon Isham, Kevin Strong, Pablo Gonzales, Jim Prepodnik, John Prepodnik, Elius Strong, Garret Landgren, and Henry Thompson.

Visitation was held Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Bois Forte Government Community Building, Nett Lake and continued until the service commenced on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.