Wilford J. Waydula, age 96, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025, at his home in Grand Rapids, MN.

Wilford John "Bill" Waydula was born October 9, 1928, in Shovel Lake, Minnesota to Peter and Ina (Hunter) Waydula. He attended school in Shovel Lake. The family moved to Grand Rapids in 1943 where he attended school.

Bill began working at Blandin Paper Company in Grand Rapids in 1945. He served as a Sgt with the 187th Airborne as a paratrooper in Korea from January 26, 1951 to January 22, 1953. He returned home to Minnesota and enrolled at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. He moved back to Grand Rapids in 1956 and resumed his career at Blandin Paper Company.

On December 10, 1966, Bill was united in marriage to Barbara McFadden. Barbara passed away at a young age on April 26, 1973. It was during his time at Blandin that Bill found love again and met Margie Schultz Frink. They were married June 4, 1976, and resided in Grand Rapids. Bill retired from Blandin Paper Co. in 1990, and together he and Margie enjoyed travelling, camping, fishing, and spending time with family. Bill enjoyed hunting, whether it was big game out west or his yearly bird and deer hunting in Minnesota with his buddies. He loved building things, gardening and fixing anything and everything.

Bill was preceded in death by his wives, Barbara and Margie; grandsons David and Garret; sisters Irene (Wayne) Weller, Darlene (Jerry) Demming, Lucille (Jerry) Walsh, Lavonne (Phil) Cook, Shirley (Dale) Smith; sons-in-law Lee Baird and Wes Cooper.

He is survived by his children Deb (Tom) Noethe of Grand Rapids, Jomi (Mike) Briski of Cottage Grove, Doug (April) Waydula of Chester, Virginia, Donna (Bill) Wilson of Bovey, Linda Baird of Kentucky, Ronda Cooper of Kentucky; numerous grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 10 AM at Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, MN followed by the funeral service at 11 AM. Father Jerry Weiss will officiate. Burial with military honors will be at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MN.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the nursing staff at Pillars of Grand Rapids and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Second Harvest Northland or any organization of your choice.