William Hart Running

William Hart Running entered the world on December 29, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a city that would remain his lifelong home and anchor throughout nearly nine decades of American history. Born to Charles Kennedy Running Sr. and Florence Elizabeth Hart Running, William carried the Hart family name as his middle name, honoring his maternal heritage within the tight-knit Minneapolis community.

Growing up in Minneapolis during the 1940s and 1950s, William's formative years unfolded against the backdrop of post-World War II prosperity and the emergence of modern America. His childhood was shaped by a close-knit family that included his brother Charles Kennedy Running Jr., who would graduate from Washburn High School and later serve with distinction in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. The Running family also included sister Alyce Mary, who would later become Alyce Mary Dillon through marriage, establishing another branch of the extended family tree that would remain central to William's life.

The Minneapolis that shaped William's youth was a thriving metropolitan center, with established neighborhoods, vibrant commercial districts, and abundant access to Minnesota's legendary outdoor recreation opportunities. It was here that William developed what would become a lifelong passion for fishing, taking advantage of the Mississippi River flowing through the city and the countless lakes that define Minnesota's landscape. This love of fishing would become one of his defining characteristics, drawing him regularly to the waters that surrounded his beloved hometown.

William's heart found its match in Dalene Swinburne, affectionately known to family and friends as "Bunny." Their marriage created a partnership that would span many years, with Dalene becoming Dalene "Bunny" Swinburne Running. Though she preceded him in death, their relationship was characterized as a loving bond that formed the emotional center of William's adult life. The use of her nickname "Bunny" in formal obituary announcements speaks to the warmth and intimacy that defined their relationship and how she was beloved by the entire family.

Throughout his life, William embodied the qualities that made him cherished by those who knew him. His humor became legendary among family members, bringing laughter and lightness to family gatherings and everyday interactions. This wit and warmth drew people to him, creating lasting friendships and deepening family bonds across multiple generations. His ability to find joy and share it with others reflected a generous spirit that touched everyone in his orbit.

Perhaps most significantly, William's profound love of family became the organizing principle of his life. He maintained close relationships not only with his immediate siblings but across an extended family network that eventually encompassed great-great-nieces and nephews. His sister Alyce Mary Dillon remained a constant presence, along with her sons David James and Charles Matthew Dillon, who became William's cherished nephews.

The family network that surrounded William reflected the changing face of American society, incorporating diverse cultural backgrounds through marriage. His nieces-in-law included Susanne Lovejoy and Lamyai "Min" Chomkhamsing, the latter representing the family's connection to Thai culture and international relationships. These marriages enriched the family tapestry and demonstrated William's openness to the evolving, multicultural nature of modern American families.

William's role as a great-uncle brought him particular joy as he watched subsequent generations flourish. His great-niece Marria Lovejoy carried forward the family traditions, and her children—Nomi, Mars, and Meca Lovejoy—became his great-great-nieces and nephews. The creative and distinctive names chosen for the youngest generation reflected evolving family traditions while maintaining the close bonds that had always characterized the Running family.

The family circle also included his sister-in-law Lora Quenemoen-Running, whose connection brought additional relatives including niece Kelly Running and nephew Jet Quenemoen, along with great-nephew Taj Esalen. These relationships demonstrated William's gift for maintaining connections across complex family structures and his commitment to treating all family members with equal warmth and inclusion.

As William aged, he witnessed profound changes in American society and technology, from the post-war boom of his youth through the digital revolution of the early 21st century. Yet through all these transformations, he remained grounded in Minneapolis, finding continuity in his hometown, his family relationships, and his simple pleasures like fishing in Minnesota's abundant waters.

The final chapter of William's life was marked by an extraordinary bond with his brother Charles. On March 22, 2026, Charles Kennedy Running Jr. passed away after a full life that included military service, decades of work as a cement finisher for the City of Minneapolis, and the same deep family connections that defined William's existence. In a testament to their lifelong closeness, William followed his brother just one day later, passing away on March 23, 2026, at the age of 85.

The family's decision to hold a joint memorial service for both brothers at Lakewood Cemetery reflected the profound connection they shared throughout their lives. The service, held on April 17, 2026, brought together the extensive family network that both brothers had nurtured, followed by a celebration of life at the Fred Babcock VFW Post in Richfield. This venue, named after a World War II Marine Corps veteran killed in the line of duty, provided an appropriate setting for honoring two brothers who had lived lives of service to family and community.

William Hart Running's legacy lives on in the humor he shared, the family bonds he nurtured, and the simple joys he found in life's everyday pleasures. His 85 years traced the arc of modern American life, from the World War II era through the dawn of the 21st century, always anchored by his love of family, his appreciation for Minnesota's natural beauty, and his gift for bringing laughter and warmth to those around him. In death, as in life, he remained inseparable from the brother who had shared his journey and the family that formed the center of his world.