William "Willie" J. Kilian, 94, Wilton, ND died April 27, 2022 at his residence under the care of his family and hospice.  Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, May 2, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, Wilton with Pastor Paul Schauer officiating.  Interment will be held in Riverview Cemetery, Wilton with military rites provided by the Wilton American Legion.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Sunday at the church in Wilton and will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday.  The funeral service will be livestreamed on this page at the bottom of Willie's obituary.

Willie was born October 12, 1927 in Wilton the son of August and Minnie (Leben) Kilian.  He was raised and educated in Wilton where he graduated from high school.  He married Phyllis M. Hanson on July 6, 1950 in Wilton.  They moved to Idaho where Willie entered the U.S. Air Force.  He served in Washington, Alaska and South Dakota.  After his discharge they returned to Wilton where Willie purchased a repair shop on Main Street.  He also farmed and drove school bus for many years.  He then went to work for Burleigh County as motorgrader operator and also helped with summer road construction.

Willie and Phyllis enjoyed traveling and were able to travel all 50 states before she passed away on October 5, 2001.  He then married Irene Rogowski on January 4, 2004.  They enjoyed many years of traveling and happiness until she passed away on February 27, 2017.

He was a founding member of the Wilton Ambulance and Fire Department and was also a member of the Wilton American Legion and Senior Center.

Willie is survived by his children, Billy Kilian of Wilton, Susan Kilian of Wilton and Phillip (Vicki) Kilian of Lebanon, MO; his grandchildren, Robert (Jenny) Kilian and Mary Jo (Tom) Ragsdale; his great grandchildren, Courtney Kilian, Levi Kilian and George Ragsdale; his step children, Susie (Brian) Masterson of Canby, OR, Sandy (Wade) Hansen of Wilton, Judy (Randy) Schnabel of Lincoln, ND and Mary (Marlin) Hruby of Wilton; many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives and his two brothers, Albert and Ernest.