Blanchard, William A. 97, of Bloomington, MN passed away May 31, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Inga (Chilson); son Dennis; brothers Joseph and Edwin Blanchard. Survived by his wife of 72 years, Maxine; daughter, Vicki McDonald (Tom); granddaughters Kiera Peterson, Alicia and Jessica Blanchard; 3 great-granddaughters; sister-in-law, Myrtle Harben; and many nieces and nephews. William was born on a ranch in Sacramento, CA. His father was killed in an accident when he was a young child and his mother moved the family to his grandparents' farm in rural South Dakota. He spent his school years on his grandparents' farm and as a teen he spent two years at a C.C. Camp in the Black Hills of South Dakota. William was drafted into the Army during World War II and was in The Battle of the Bulge. Upon his discharge from the Army he attended electrical school in Kansas City. After graduation, William worked on the construction of nuclear power plants across the United States. In the mid 1950's he moved his family to Bloomington, MN and continued his career in the electrical field. Upon retirement, he split his time between Scottsdale/ Mesa, AZ and Bloomington, MN. During his retirement he enjoyed traveling in his motorhome to all parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico. He took a special trip to Europe commemorating the 60-year anniversary of the end of World War II, visiting the memorial to the Battle of the Bulge and other historic World War II locations. Due to Covid-19, a private funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at Washburn-McReavy Werness Brothers Chapel in Bloomington, MN. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The funeral service will be viewable on the Washburn-McReavy website under William's name. Memorials may be directed to the Shriners Children's Hospital, DAV or donor's choice. The family would like to thank The Geneva Suites of Edina, the nurses and health care aides with Allina Hospice for the wonderful care and the love they gave to William in his final days. Washburn-McReavy.com Werness Brothers 952-884-8145