William Douglas Darrow

William "Bill" Douglas Darrow, 84, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Bill lived a life defined by adventure, ingenuity, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to the people he loved. He was the rock of his family-steady, dependable, and deeply loyal. He was brilliant and stoic, with a sharp wit, a fiery laugh, and a presence that made others feel safe, supported, and loved.

Bill was born in Madison, Wisconsin, to his parents, Merle and Marie Darrow, and grew up in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. As a young man, he was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and stayed actively involved throughout high school, including serving as the yearbook photographer-early signs of the creativity, discipline, and drive that would define his life.

He was a proud graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in Photographic Engineering. One of Bill's favorite stories from his college years-and one his family will forever love retelling-was his role in transporting the school mascot, Spirit, a tiger cub, from the zoo to the football stadium in his convertible. It was a story so uniquely Bill: bold, unforgettable, and impossible to top. He remained a lifelong RIT Tigers fan.

After college, Bill began his career as a physicist and photographic engineer, working on spy plane cameras, satellites, and medical imaging on the east coast. In 1976, he moved to Minnesota, making the St. Croix Valley home for himself and his family, and continued his work at 3M, where he became a pioneer in the field of medical imaging.

As impressive as his professional accomplishments were, they were only one part of who Bill was. To his family, he was the kind of man who could fix anything. His engineer's mind could solve almost any problem, whether rebuilding a car or tackling a home project. There was nothing he couldn't do. He was happiest tinkering in his pole barn or workshop.

Bill loved sailing and being on the water, spending time on his Chrysler sailboat on the St. Croix with his children and later passing that love on to his grandchildren. He faithfully brought them to sailing school each summer, often sitting for entire days just to watch them-one of the many quiet ways he showed his love.

He also had a lifelong passion for classic Buicks, sparked by his father's car. Over the years, Bill collected multiple Buicks and filled his pole barn with parts and projects, but his treasured 1957 Buick Super held a special place in his heart. He was deeply involved in the Buick Club of America, serving in leadership roles locally and as National President.

Bill rarely went without a camera around his neck, finding joy in the small moments that became the important ones. He loved animals and held a special place in his heart for the many pets who were part of his life. He also loved to travel-whether across the globe for work- with Argentina and Italy among his favorites, on family summer road trips to national car shows, or back to Mount Horeb to visit his family.

Above all else, Bill was a family man.

Bill and his beloved wife, Sheila, celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary the day before his passing in a way that was perfectly their own-with family and ice cream. Together, they built a beautiful life between Minnesota and Florida, grounded in love, partnership, and simple joys: a good meal at a local restaurant, coffee on the lanai, and playing bingo. In countless quiet ways-from making sure he always had his favorite treats to caring for him each day-Sheila showed Bill extraordinary devotion through the very end.

To his children, he was the smartest person in the world-always the one they turned to for advice. He was dependable, steady, and always present-the first call his children would make. As a dad, he would drop anything to help his kids. He instilled in them the values of integrity, loyalty, and keeping your word, showing his love through consistency and unwavering support.

In retirement, his grandchildren became his world. He was a favorite nap spot, a constant companion for ice cream outings and rides in a classic car, and someone who loved sitting on a Florida beach watching his grandkids play in the waves and looking for shells-even if they tracked sand back into his car afterward. Bill was the kind of grandpa who always showed up for whatever mattered to them, whether on a field, at a science fair, in a cold ice rink, or on a stage. He spent entire days simply being with them, making each grandchild feel deeply loved, seen, and cherished.

In his final years, Bill bravely faced the challenges of dementia. Even on that difficult journey, he never lost sight of what mattered most. His bright blue eyes would light up at the sight of his family, and his heart remained selfless-always concerned for those he loved.

Bill's life was not measured only by what he built, fixed, designed, or achieved, but by the way he loved-steadily, faithfully, and without condition. He was the kind of man whose strength gave others comfort, whose wisdom gave others confidence, and whose love gave his family a foundation. He was, and always will be, their rock.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Sheila; his children, Bill (Stephanie) Darrow Jr., James Darrow, Tom Darrow, and Anne Marie (Jamie) Persico; his grandchildren, Kristen, Tiffany, Jacob, Connor, Hope, Grant, Grace, Will, Bella, Dylan, and Weston; his great-grandchildren, Brooklen, Jace, Rileigh, Lilith, Jordyn, Madelyn, and Owen; and his sister, Janet Young.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Marie Darrow, and his great-granddaughter, Aria Still.

Please join us in celebrating Bill on Wednesday, July 8 from 4 pm to 8 pm at the Beach House located at Lakeside Park in Bayport, MN, overlooking one of Bill's favorite places, the St. Croix River. There will be a service at 5:00 pm, and fellowship following. Bring your classic cars, enjoy the view of the St. Croix, and celebrate Bill in a way he would have loved-together.