William "Bill" Robert Devens

William “Bill” Robert Devens, age 78, of Mankato passed away while wintering in Mesa, AZ on March 9, 2025.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the Mankato Mortuary. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Mankato Mortuary with visitation continuing one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Livestream of the service will be available at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Bill was born on February 4, 1947 to Harold and Elizabeth (DeVlaeminck) Devens in Rush City, Minnesota. Bill spent his early years in MN, and then moved with his family to California where he graduated from Huntington Park High School in 1965.

Bill returned back to MN and married Kathy Thatcher, and together they had two children, Mike and Shannon. They later divorced. Bill worked in construction, and always took great pride in his work. He also owned a bar in Rockford, MN, called Billy Bob’s, where he shared many good times and card games with friends. He also loved riding and taking care of his many horses. Bill retired in 2005 and wintered in Arizona where he enjoyed spending his days on the many golf courses, and driving to visit his siblings in California where he spent many family holidays in Laughlin.

Bill also spent his retirement years enjoying his summers back in MN, golfing, fishing, and spending time with family. He loved to watch football, and was an avid L.A. Rams fan. He looked forward to driving his corvette cross country; especially to Minnesota and Georgia to see his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His family was truly his pride and joy.

Bill is survived by his children, Mike Devens and Shannon (Grady) Whittet both of Mankato, MN; grandchildren, Adam Devens, Ashley Devens, Alecia Devens, Shelby Whittet, Connor Whittet, Dustan Whittet, and Payton Whittet; great-grandchildren, Caiden, Emma, Avery and Beckett; brother, Harold “Butch” (Monica) Devens of CA; sisters, Joann Dorn of OR, Judy Ovalle of CA, Debbra Jents of CA, Pam (Jim) Norton of CA, and Christine Devens of CA, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends he adored.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Patricia Tolzmann, Sharon Quinehan, and Carolyn Devens; brother, Dennis Devens; sister-in-law, Hazel Devens; brothers-in-law, Roger Tolzmann, Phil Dorn, Robert Ovalle, and Michael Jents.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Mortuary.
Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.