William Cisco, age 79, from Bejou, MN died on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Essentia Health-Oak Crossing Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN.

William S. Cisco, son of Stephen and Christina (Bohun) Cisco, was born on October 21, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio. Bill grew up in Brunswick, Ohio where he attended school and worked for area farmers. Following his high school graduation in 1950, Bill worked as a stevedore unloading trucks until he entered the United States Air Force. During his first four years of service, Bill was stationed in New York, Missouri, England, and Okinawa. Upon discharge, he returned to Ohio and began working as a millwright at the Ford Motor Plant in Cleveland. He was recalled into the Air Force and proudly served 16 more years as military police and a dog handler. While stationed in Florida, Bill met Carol Legan and they were united in marriage on July 1, 1960. The couple made their first home in Tampa, Florida then moved to Texas and New Jersey. While living in Okinawa, Japan, Bill and Carol were blessed with the birth of their son, Stephen. Bill spent time in Thailand, Arkansas, Vietnam, California, Goose Bay Labrador Canada, and finally Spokane, WA. After his retirement from the military in 1974, Bill, Carol, and Steve moved to the family farm in Mahnomen County, Minnesota. He worked as the police chief in Bejou from 1975 to 1976 then served as a Mahnomen County Sheriff's Deputy for 15 years. Bill retired from law enforcement in 1989 and continued to make his home on the farm north of Mahnomen.


Bill was a collector of many things; he had many toy tractors, hats and caps, and a multitude of tools. He was also a talented mechanic, a woodworker, and a blacksmith. Bill and Carol loved to dress up in period costume and have a casual rendezvous with other history enthusiasts. Together, they operated Marsh Coulee Forge and Mercantile, which specialized in fur trading, ironwork, and early century costumes and craftwork. Bill also spent many hours working outdoors and always kept their large lawn beautiful.

Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol of Bejou; his son, Stephen (Micheal Jeffery) Cisco of Grand Forks, ND; nieces, Katherine Faulk of Vancouver, WA and Carol Legan of Tampa, FL; nephews: Glenn Bonner of St. Petersburg, FL, Anthony Rodriguez and James Legan Jr. both of Florida; and special friends: Gene and Mary, Jim and Adelle, Al and Theresa, and Pete and Mary.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Christina Cisco; parents-in-law, Clarence and Alta Legan; sister-in-law, Jo Patricia Rodriguez; brother-in-law, James Legan; and one nephew, George Boner.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen, led by Pastor Kristy May. Military honors will be provided by the Bejou VFW Wild Rice Post #1226, the Mahnomen American Legion Isaacson-Bjorge Post #31, and the ARNG Honor Guard. Honorary bearers will be the Mahnomen County Sheriff's Department, both active and retired.