William "Bill" Frank Hitz

William (Billy) Hitz, 67, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2023, at his home in Plymouth, MN, surrounded by his family.

Billy was born in New Rockford, ND, on December 30, 1955, to Frank and Frances (Hartl) Hitz.  He grew up on the family farm near Bremen, ND, and graduated from New Rockford Central High School in 1974.  He attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Soil Science.  He had a long successful career with Xcel Energy in their Emissions Control Division and retired in 2016.

Billy enjoyed hunting and playing sports in his younger years.  In spite of incurring a spinal cord injury at the age of 19, he continued to enjoy hunting, the highlight being a hunting trip to South Africa in 2015. He was an avid reader and movie buff and a life-long Vikings fan.

Billy had a vast network of supportive friends everywhere he went due to his gregarious, positive, selfless nature, love of life and people and his unique sense of humor. He was especially loved by children.

Billy is survived by his sisters Melanie (Joe) Darville, Gail Marie, Dianne Goebel and friend Jay, Miriam (Marvin) Aardahl, Agnes (Vern) Olson, Jeanine (Richard) Sheidler, his brother John (Sharlena) Hitz, his nephew Jason (Valerie) La Fontaine who was raised by Frank and Frances Hitz, and his many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Frances Hitz, his sister Francine La Fontaine, and one great nephew Lane La Fontaine.

A private family service was held May 10, 2023, in Plymouth, MN.