William "Jim" Giard

William "Jim" Giard

April 19, 1958 - September 27, 2019

William "Jim" Giard, age 61, of New London, OH, formerly Roy Lake, MN, died unexpectedly, on Friday, September 27, 2019, at his home.

Jim was born April 19, 1958, in White Earth, MN, the son of William Henry and Helena "Dode" Delphine (Beaulieu) Giard. He spent many years traveling and working throughout the United States, making friends everywhere with his contagious smile and unique laugh. Some of his favorite places included Florida, Alaska and Minnesota. Jim settled in Ohio and worked many years for RR Donnelley and Sons in Willard, OH. Following a disability retirement, Jim moved back to Minnesota for seven years. He lived with different friends and family up until the last six months of living in Minnesota when he made his home at the Men's Acute Center in Mahnomen. For the first time, he was able to reach sobriety and put his lifelong struggles with alcohol to rest. Jim then moved to New London where he lived his final four years of his life, sober and near family and friends.

Jim had many long-term companions and even a short-term wife, but never had any children of his own. He spent his life loving and cherishing all his nieces and nephews. He would always take their pictures, bring them sussys (Surprises!), teach them to cuss and quite frequently aggravate the heck out of them. Regardless, every niece and nephew knew their uncle loved them and he had a special place in his heart for all of them.

Jim is survived by three sisters: Mary (Dale) Bunker of North Pole, AK, Michelle (Jim) Ruggles of New London, OH, and Rebecca Giard of Cartersville, GA; aunts: Maxine Skunes, Doris Vleck both of Bemidji, MN, Cecelia Gross, Kathleen Burdick, both of St. Cloud, MN, and Ruth Walz of Battle Ground, WA. He is also survived by a "Son", Kevin Bruce Hamilton; dear friend and neighbor, Lynn; special sister-in-law, Shannon Hall; his furry companion, Gizzi; and many nieces and nephews: Grace (Alex), Emma (Alan), Seth (Courtney) Joey, Priscilla (Jacob), Alice (Kevin), Thomas Jr., Mavis, Iris, Mariah, Claire, Hanna (Derek), Jenna (Harley), Keaton (Chelsea), Connor (Sierra), and Macy; great nieces and nephews: Melissa, Kristi, Isabel, Sage, Scarlette, Olive, Hudson, Willow, Ava, Everett, Abigail, Isaac, Aiden, Thomas John Jr., Jesse, Joseph, Julian, Vince, Aubrey, DruAnn, Keyrian, Nakoa, Davian, Delphine, Leo, Myles, Vera, Jaelynn, Kya, Emma and two additional coming in February 2020.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Christine and Priscilla; a brother, Thomas; two nephews, Jesse and William "Chill" as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2019, at the Naytahwaush Sports Complex in Naytahwaush, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the Naytahwaush Sports Complex. Burial will be in Island Lake Cemetery, rural Lengby, MN.