William "Bill" C. Elliott

William “Bill” C. Elliott, age 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Arkansas on February 10, 2026, with his wife by his side. Born to Charles and Elizabeth Elliott on March 25, 1947, in Hammond, Indiana, Bill graduated with honors from Hastings High School in 1965, where he played on the football team. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Minnesota before earning a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1988 and a Master of Science from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1991.

Bill enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in 1967. In 1970 he completed officer training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps. He later transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring with an honorable discharge in 1986 as a Captain in the Infantry. His deep respect for military service remained with him throughout his life.

He built a long career in manufacturing in Minnesota, beginning at 3M in 1972 and advancing through increasingly responsible roles at Toro, where he served as Business Systems Analyst, Warehouse General Supervisor, Manufacturing Manager, and Plant Personnel Manager. He later worked for Nordic Track and Lake Region Manufacturing. In 2003 he joined the United States Postal Service as a City Letter Carrier and continued in various positions at the USPS Accounting Service Center until his retirement in 2012.

Bill met his wife, Mary, in 2006 and they married in 2007. After retiring, the couple moved to Arizona, where Bill spent eleven years as Usher Captain at Goodyear Ballpark for the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians spring training. He also volunteered for numerous community events. In 2023 they relocated to Arkansas after visiting friends there.

Known for his quick wit, kindness, generosity, and vast sports knowledge, Bill enjoyed reading and watching classic westerns. His devotion to the Minnesota Vikings never wavered. He was preceded in death by his parents and many friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Elliott of Arkansas, two stepdaughters, four children, a brother and their families in Minnesota, and a sister and her family in Texas.