William "Bill" James Opp

William "Bill" James Opp

William "Bill" James Opp was born on July 26, 1964, to proud parents James and Margaret Opp in Minot, North Dakota. He passed away on the morning of September 22nd, 2026. In 1968, his family moved to Sawyer, North Dakota.

From an early age, Bill had a love for animals, especially horses and dogs. He attended Sawyer Public School from kindergarten through his graduation in 1982. During his senior year of high school and shortly afterward, Bill worked as a cook at Country Kitchen in Minot.

Bill attended Minot State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Business Management.

In 1993, Bill decided to venture outside of North Dakota in search of new opportunities. He eventually moved to Cleveland, Tennessee 1993, where his older brother Dennis lived. Bill worked for Maytag for several years, sold life insurance, and drove a truck for a few years. However, the career he enjoyed most was remodeling and flipping homes with his wife, Barb, through Open Doors Property Management .

Bill also purchased property in Polk County, where he could pursue one of his greatest passions-raising and caring for animals. He enjoyed raising Rottweilers, horses, and chickens and took great pride in caring for them.

Bill met and married Barbara Franks on May 25, 2012.

Barbara's family became Bill's family as well. Although Bill did not have biological children of his own, he loved Barbara's children and grandchildren as his own. He never made a distinction, and they were truly his family.

Bill was especially happy to meet and hold his granddaughter, Autumn, in the hospital when she was born. From the beginning, Bill and Autumn shared an exceptionally close bond-one that was much more like that of a father and daughter. They spent countless hours together and shared a special love for horses, riding, and the animals on Bill's property.

Just a couple of days before his passing, Bill was working with Autumn as they prepared for her first barrel-racing competition. Those memories, along with the many hours they spent together, will forever hold a special place in Autumn's heart and in the hearts of their family.

Bill was known to spend several hours in his yard after getting off work, tending to his animals and simply sitting and talking with them. They were his joy.

Bill had a very big heart and was always willing to go out of his way to help others whenever he could. He loved his family deeply and found great happiness in the people and animals he surrounded himself with.

Bill's sudden passing has left his entire family devastated, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, James Opp; paternal grandparents, Jacob and Ella Opp; maternal grandparents, Hans and Dorothy Vetter; his nephew, Dustin Dahly; and his great niece, Kova Gillstrap; along with several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He Leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Barbara Opp; mother, Margaret Opp; his brothers, Dennis Opp and wife Pam, and Curt Opp and his wife Char; sister, Roxanne Rose and husband Dale; his uncle, Larry Opp; stepchildren, whom he loved and considered his own, Timothy Franks and wife Christy, William Cottrell and wife Christy, Jennifer "Jeremy" Cottrell, and Jessica Goins; his nieces and nephews, Ashley Dahly, Derrick Dahly, Denny Opp, Nicole Opp, Colby Opp, and Peyton Opp, along with several great-nieces and great-nephews; and his grandchildren, Autumn Ballinger, Cason Brewer, Hayden, Landon, Toby, Allie, and Tyler.

We know that you are still with us, watching over us from Heaven above, where you are surely riding a horse and tending to the animals you loved so much.

A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 4:00 pm at Companion Funeral Home - The Ridge Sanctuary with Pastor Edwin Lipsey officiating. The family will be receiving friends from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm prior to the service.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Bill or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.