William “Bill” David Heiny, 63, of Austin, Minnesota, died Sunday, June 3, 2018, at his son’s home in Austin surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Bill was born May 27, 1955, in Lansing, Minnesota, to James and Patricia (Omarro) Heiny. He attended school in Lansing and Austin High School. In 1972, Bill enlisted into the U.S. Navy, serving until his honorable discharge in 1974. After he got back from the service, Bill made his home in Austin, but was known to travel. His journey led him to Montana, where he met Melodie Bacon, his best friend and true love. Their relationship was blessed with three children. While he was in Montana, he drove trucks for an oil rigging company and continued to drive trucks for many years. Bill loved the outdoors, laying in the sun, and enjoyed artifact and rock hunting. He liked listening to music, everything and anything good, especially on National Public Radio. Bill liked to feng shui his space; in his space he liked to tinker, watch racing, drink coffee and smoke cigarettes. He was a very social and popular person who especially loved the ladies, but most of all he loved every one; he loved to make those around him laugh and he was known to brighten your mood if you were having a bad day. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his love, Melodie Heiny of Wibaux, Montana; children, Joshua Heiny of Austin, Jessalyn (Samuel) Thorpe of Austin, Savannah (Codi Percival) Heiny of Austin, and son with “always late for dinner” Jan Hjelmen, Andy (Amber) Prange of Wells, Minnesota; grandchildren, Zayda Thorpe, Liviya Thorpe and Macy Thorpe; brothers, Craig Heinz, James “Mike” (Maxine) Heiny and Jon Heiny, all of Austin; sisters, Debra Vanravenhorst of Caledonia, Minnesota, and Amy (Mark) Heiny of Debary, Florida; long-time friend and neighbor, Tom Brewster; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends all over the country. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Patricia Heiny; brothers-in-law, Jerry Vanravenhorst and Alan Bacon; sister-in-law, Carla Bacon; nephew, David Schmidt; and many aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin. There will be a brief service with a time for sharing memories beginning at 4 p.m. Please bring written memories of Bill at this time. Following the service, there will be a time of fellowship held at the Pavilion/ Bandshell. An interment at Cedar City Cemetery in Austin will happen at a later date because Bill so graciously donated his body to medical research to help impact others lives. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.