"In the world, nothing is to be certain except death and taxes." (Benjamin Franklin)

William (Bill) Ray Ludtke died on a Monday afternoon April 15, 2019: Tax Day… His taxes required an extension that Bill, himself, would not be granted.

Bill was born on September 24, 1938, to Esther & Raymond Ludtke in Minneapolis, MN. He came into this world with two older siblings, Patsy and Jim, and quickly joined by his little sister Jeannie. Oh, how he loved and teased his little his baby sister and now will probably continue to do so.

At age 17 Bill joined the Navy where he met his best friend for life, Jack.  After serving four years with the Armed Forces, he became a Police Officer with the city of Golden Valley in 1961.  He made it to the rank of Sergeant. A colleague said of Bill "he was a hardworking, good cop."

After 14 years of public service, Bill, who soon realized that being the boss was better than being bossed.  He started the company Gentleman's Choice, with his wife Sharon, whom he married in 1960. As co-boss he co-parented two beautiful daughters, Barbara (Tom Metzger) and Sandra (Archie). Sandy gave him three amazing grandchildren Daniel, Mark, and Ashley (Kody). Ashley gave Bill his great-grandson, Ben (and another great-grandson on the way!) Daniel and Mark have not started on families yet but watch out when they do (no pressure boys! seriously... yes we went there).

Forever the salesman, he was the manager of Forever Living in Minnesota in the early '80s.

Billy married his wife, Kathy, April 25th, 1986. With her came three children Chad (Nicole), Tony and the favorite Nicole (Randall) (editor's note: Nicole wrote that part). Kathy's three monsters gave Bill a run for his money and they loved him beyond life. He was their father, a good teacher, a close friend, their Papa and granddaddy. Tony gave Bill a grandson, Jamison, and Chad gave him both a granddaughter and grandson, Stevey (Wyatt) and Cash. Nicole, not wanting to be outdone by her siblings, gave Bill multiple grandpets as well.

Bill could be needy at times and despite the kids providing grandchildren (and grandpets), he also was gifted Nicole's liver in 2001 and Tony's Kidney in 2008.  Having a compatible blood type was a great way to get close with Bill!

Billy was very much a people person with a very engaging personality. He continued to serve much of his life with the Lyons and most recently as a volunteer with Life Source. He loved it and everyone he met.  He only stopped volunteering as his voice became a whisper and he found it easier to cry.

One of his proudest accomplishments was getting his 41-year medallion from AA. His AA family brought his medallion to the hospital before he died in an act that touched the entire family and made authentic the connections he always made.

Bill and Kathy worked side by side for most of their lives. From Forever Living to men's hairpieces (the only way he could get his cheap), Wells Fargo and then on to selling Manufactured Homes until they retired. Most people would be annoyed at two people who lived their life with so much togetherness, but, Bill was stubborn, and he was the manager, not the boss.

Kathy would continuously remind him that the best day of her life is when they married and now continues to tell Bill every day that April 15th was the best of his life because he got to meet Jesus.

The service, being held on April 25, 2019, would have been Kathy and Bill's 33rd wedding anniversary.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 24th from 5pm to 8pm at Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, 2005 Branch Ave., Anoka. A celebration of life will be Thursday, April 25th at 11am at Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, with a Reception to follow at American Legion Edward B. Cutter Post 102.  In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, 2005 Branch Ave, Anoka, MN.