John Billman, former Minnesota Gopher football player and World War II veteran, dies at 92

John Billman, a World War II veteran and two-time national football champion under legendary Minnesota Gopher coach Bernie Bierman, died March 16 at the age of 92 according to the Star Tribune.
Raised in northeast Minneapolis, Billman enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1939, playing football under Bernie Bierman before graduating with a degree in mortuary science in 1942.
He then enlisted in the Navy, serving as the captain of a PT boat in the South Pacific.
"Dad was so proud that he served his country, although he never talked about war stories," his daughter, Jennifer Redmond, said to the Star Tribune. "But his favorite TV show was 'McHale's Navy'."
Retiring from his mortuary business in 1983, Billman traveled the world with his wife Kit, while involving himself in philanthropy, starting fellowship and scholarship programs for horticulture, athletics, international studies, cancer research and Navy ROTC.