English, enlisted in the U.S. Navy to help provide for his family and received the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Medal. He worked for Minn-Dak as a sugar boiler for 32 years. He served as president of the Abercrombie Community Club, was a member of the Red River Valley Sportsmen Club, the VFW, the American Legion and many others. He lived in Wahpeton, North Dakota.