William Snyder

Fargo filmmaker William D. "Bill" Snyder, 90, died Friday, September 14, 2007 in Fargo of pneumonia contracted after an operation for an aortic aneurysm. Bill was born to Mary Elizabeth (Mozley) and Joseph Snyder in Dickinson, ND on October 5, 1916. In 1936 he graduated from Fargo Central High School, and struck out for Hollywood. He worked for Technicolor for a period, but returned to Fargo to attend North Dakota Agricultural College, graduating in 1942. After ROTC in College, he joined the Army in 1942 as a Second Lieutenant. During World War II, he was a Company Commander in the signal corps, where he took part in the campaign in New Guinea, the invasion of the Philippines and later the occupation of Japan. He remained in the Army Reserve after the war, retiring with the rank of Major. After returning from active duty, he signed on with the Gatti-Hallicrafters expedition to East Africa ( www.qsi.net/pa0abm/ghe/hallicr.htm ), a promotional effort of Hallicrafter Radio Company. He worked as a ham radio operator, transmitting from Africa to all parts of the world. After a disagreement with Mr. Gatti, he left the expedition, and took a position with Arch Obler, of "Lights Out" radio fame, who was filming a documentary in Africa. After completing the film, he returned to the U.S., and moved back to Hollywood, where he worked with Arch Obler on various projects. Due to his father's illness/death, Bill returned to Fargo in 1949. He worked at Epko, and later was hired to help WDAY become the first TV station in Fargo. On June 1, 1953 WDAY went on the air, with Bill Snyder as Photo Director. While at WDAY, he married Evie Mattson, and had two children. In the late 50's, he resigned from WDAY and founded Bill Snyder Films. With the help of John McDonough and Norm Selberg, the new company produced industrial films, TV commercials, animation and documentaries. The Company's over 800 productions, many award winners, included work for Walt Disney Mickey Mouse newsreel, Melroe Bobcat, Steiger Tractor, political and other television commercials, documentaries about North Dakota agriculture, the farm credit system, Insurance Youth Golf Tournament, the U.S. Bicentennial and other topics. Bill was also a mentor to many young employees who later become fixtures in the Fargo advertising community. The Snyder Films archives are at the North Dakota Historical Society in Bismarck. Bill had a great passion for flying. In the early 60's he acquired his first airplane, and later upgraded to a Cessna 182 Skylane. Bill had over 2,100 hours as a pilot, regularly traveling to film projects around the United States. On one of his last flights, he had to make an emergency landing on a roadway due to a mechanical problem with the fuel tanks. Bill retired in the early 80's, and sold his business in 1984. He was active with the NDSU Alumni Association and was the recipient of the NDSU Alumni Achievement Award in 1977. In retirement, he was the editor of the Central High School Alumni Newspaper for many years, served on the board of Bonanzaville, and was active in ham radio (call signal WØLHS). Bill is survived by his wife Evelette, daughter Mary Liz (Ron) Davis of Velva, N.D. son Thomas D.(Nancy) Snyder of River Forest, Illinois, grandchildren, Tad (Missy Wald) Espeseth, Erik (Nicole) Espeseth, William Espeseth, Carsten Espeseth, Karlie Davis, Lacy Davis, David Snyder, Elizabeth Snyder, William Snyder, and one great grandchild Collin Espeseth. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Raymond and son-in-law Myles Espeseth. Visitation will be at Hanson-Runsvold funeral home Monday, September 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. The Funeral will be at First Congregational Church, 17th Ave South Fargo at 10:30 AM Tuesday, September 18. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in North Moorhead.