William Robson, Thief River Falls, MN, age 90, died Friday, December 18, 2015 at his residence in Thief River Falls, MN surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Monday, December 28, 2015 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.

William Lowell Robson was born on March 13, 1925 in Leeds, IA the son of Ruhle and Jane (Beals) Robson. He was baptized in the Christian faith. He attended school in Hisle, SD and graduated from Oto, IA High School in 1942. Shortly thereafter he began working with his uncle, a honey producer.

William entered into service with the United States Army on February 12, 1945 at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. He served in the Philippines and was honorably discharged on August 3, 1946 at Ft. Sheridan, IL. He then attended Wayne State College in Wayne, NE and enrolled in Engineering. He also took photography courses and was student manager for the basketball team. Following college, William went on his own, which was the beginning of Robson Honey Farms.

William was united in marriage to Joan Gunda Thompson at Wadena, MN. The couple were blessed with six children, Diane, Linda, Kami, William 'Bill', Robert and Darin; nine grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren…all who brought great joy to their lives. William and Joan made their home in Thief River Falls, MN, while wintering in Texas with the bees for many years.

William formally become a member of the Sioux Bee Honey Association in the early nineteen-fifties and was proud of bringing thirteen other honey producers into the association throughout the years, including his sons. William helped many get started in honey production and worked patiently and steadfastly to establish them in their businesses. He was always willing to assist colleagues in the honey business in any way he could.

William was selected Sioux Honey Association's 1998 Member of the Year. What commended him most for that honor were the personal qualities he brought to his work. Always a hard worker, William had a keen interest in improving the art and science of honey production, constantly working toward that end at Robson Honey Farms. He was unswervingly loyal to those with whom he had worked and to the Sioux Bee Honey Association. He pursued his work with an impeccable sense of ethics and integrity of the highest order. William's family are extremely proud of his accomplishments and what he helped others to achieve.

During the summer months William loved making sure that he took time for the family vacations, camping and taking in a Twins game or two. With the arrival of the grandchildren he and Joan enjoyed taking them to Twins and Vikings games and "kidnapping" them for summer camping trips. Many tales are told by the grandchildren and nieces & nephews of the great times they had on those outings. He also enjoyed bonfires, reading, spending time outdoors and being part of nature. William loved flying and had his own airplane at one time. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Eagle's Club, VFW Post and American Legion Post, all in Thief River Falls.

William is survived by daughters Diane (Ron Solberg) Robson, Linda Grant, and Kami (John) St. Marie and sons William 'Bill' (Danica) Robson; Robert (Kristine) Robson and Darin Robson; grandchildren, Wendy (Mark) Daniels, Nick (LeaAnn Zipfel) Stokke; Zach and Griffin St. Marie, William 'J.D.' Robson, Aaron Robson, and Emily (Jake Tangen), Benjamin and Anna Robson; great-grandsons, Philip & Tate Daniels and Walker Stokke; brothers, Dewey (Orlyn) Robson and Don (Virginia) Robson; sister Myrtie (Gaylen) Demerest; brothers-in-law, Harold (Verna) Thompson, Clayton 'Bud' Thompson; sisters-in-law, Lorna Robson and Elaine (Bruce) Thorstenson, numerous nieces and nephews, and special companion Rudy, his cat, who gave him much joy and comfort.

William was preceded in death by his wife Joan in 2008; his parents; brother Arlin Robson, sister Betty Johnson, son-in-law Lawrence Grant, brothers-in-law Robert Johnson, Orrin Thompson, Erling Thompson, Adrian 'Abe' Thompson; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Casavan.