Harold DeTienne, 83, a longtime rural Bainville resident, most recently of Billings, passed away on Friday morning, Nov. 6, 2009, at the Valley Health Care Center, Billings.

There is a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. (CST) Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, at the Everson Memorial Chapel, Williston. The Rev. Steve Anderson is officiating. Interment is in the Bainville Cemetery from around 2-2:30 p.m. (MST).

Harold Charles DeTienne was born on Feb. 24, 1926, on the family farm, north of Bainville, to Joseph and Bertha (Brenden) DeTienne. He was the third oldest of 10 children. He was raised and educated in the Bainville area and graduated from high school in 1943 at the age of 17. He stayed home for one year after school to help on the farm.

In 1944, at the age of 18, Harold joined the Navy. As part of his training, he attended the University of Idaho, was educated in electronics and became a radio operator. He served on several ships, finally being assigned to the USS Benner as a RM3C (radioman third class). He served our country during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was discharged in 1946 at Bremerton, Wash., and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Libertarian Medal. After the war, he lived in Spokane, Wash., before returning home to Bainville in 1953.

He belonged to the American Legion and served that organization as a national level adjutant commander and finance officer. From 1953 until 1973, he was the school bus driver and mechanic for the Bainville school system. He also drove several senior classes on their senior class sneak trips.

Harold was a member of the Church of the Nazarene and, in earlier years, the First English Lutheran Church, Bainville.

His favorite dog was Carlo and he very much enjoyed his 1962 red Impala with red interior, which he bought for his own birthday. He loved USS Benner reunions which started in 1965. He traveled widely all over the U.S. to many of these reunions, hosted two at Big Sky and was honored at one reunion in Billings hosted for him. The many shipmates and their families became another family for him.

All through his life, Harold enjoyed ranching and agriculture, reading, crossword puzzles, horses, flying and music. He was an accomplished cook, and was forever trying out new recipes. He was well-known for his chili, baked beans and steak fries. Harold always welcomed family and friends to visit the farm.

Harold moved to Billings in 2002 and lived with his cousin, Ted and his wife, Karla DeTienne. He entered the Valley Health Care Center in November, 2006.

Harold is survived by his brothers, Clarence (Opal), Bainville and Archie (Eleanor), West Fargo; and a sister-in-law, Vera DeTienne, Hamilton, Mont. Although Harold never had children of his own, he was an honorary father, grandfather and mentor to many of his nieces and nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins, as well as many of the young people of Bainville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Vivian Johansen, Dolly Borsheim and two infant sisters, Josephine and Luella; brothers Eugene DeTienne, Wayne, who died at two weeks of age and an un-named brother, who died at birth.

Friends may call at the Everson Funeral Home from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 a.m. (CST) to service time on Monday.

Friends may visit www.eversonfh.com to share remembrances of Harold.

The Everson Funeral Home, Williston is caring for the family.