Edward William (Bill) McCurdy was born June 30, 1930 in Roundup, Montana, to Edward Belmont McCurdy and Esther Wilda Zumwalt McCurdy.
The family lived in Coffee Creek MT until he was a little over 5 years old when his father accepted a teaching position at the Browning Boarding School on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning. They lived in Many Glacier, Montana, until Bill graduated from Browning High School in 1948. He has always had a special respect and place in his heart for his Native American friends.
During his high school years, Bill worked for Schmidt photography. For several summers, he was the Glacier Park Photographer, taking and developing pictures of the “dudes” and the Blackfoot Indians.
Bill attended Missoula University (now known as the University of Montana) and graduated with a BA in 1953.
During the Korean conflict, he served as a First Lieutenant in the Army, training troops stateside.
After being honorably discharged from the Service, Bill attended Northrup Aeronautics School of Technology in Los Angeles, California, where he earned his A&P tickets. He worked for Western Airlines in California, Utah, and Montana for several years. In 1961, he became employed by the Boeing Company at Malmstrom Air force Base, Montana.
He married Nadine Harrington on September 15, 1962, in Lewistown, Montana. He returned to college in Missoula and earned his teaching credentials in 1963. He then received a teaching position in Hamilton, Montana, as an instructor in Junior High Science. He became the proud father of twin boys in 1964.
The family moved to Helena and was blessed with another son in 1966. Bill taught aircraft mechanics from 1965-1991 at the Helena Vocational-Technical School. Bill enjoyed his retirement years, buying and refurbishing non- electric lanterns and lamps. No challenge was too big for him until he became afflicted with Alzheimer ’s disease.
Even though he had been in nursing facilities for a time, he was brought home where he died peacefully on March 20, 2015.
In addition to his wife of 52 years, survivors include sons, Patrick McCurdy, Russell McCurdy (Lori), and Charlie McCurdy, He enjoyed and loved his four granddaughters, Hannah Alanaz (Nahum), Whitney Holtzman (Brett), Talia and Chandra McCurdy. He is the great grandfather of Brennen Martz and Elijah Alanaz.
Other survivors include a brother Keith McCurdy (Myrtle) in Polson MT and a sister Carolyn Swalling in Charlo MT.
A special tribute is paid to Jack Lofink, Bill’s kind and loyal friend.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 26, 2015 at the Liberty Baptist Church, 210 Sierra Rd W., Helena, MT 59602 with a reception to immediately follow in the social hall of the Church. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Bill.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday March 26, 2015
Liberty Baptist Church
210 Sierra Rd W.
Helena, MT 59602
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service
Thursday March 26, 2015
Liberty Baptist Church
210 Sierra Rd W.
Helena, MT 59602
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Bill & Sherri says
Prayers are with all of you… Your familes continue to be in our thoughts. Neat guy…..
David Cartin says
I am so sorry to hear about Bill’S passing. He will be so missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Bill & Sherri Roberts says
We went up to the old homesteads about 1 month ago. Remembered alot of the old times when you kids were all young. So many memories, kids, gardens, rabbits, your goats, mountains of snow. We remember raising chickens, turkeys & pigs – such a busy time in all our lives, yet when we look back, it was a more laid back time. It was made easier, at times, because of neighbors like your family & the other families there at the top of the knoll.
Nadine, you the boys are in our thoughts & prays through this time. Rest in peace Bill, you have worked hard for it. Bless you all.
Angie & Carl Lindstrom says
Russ, Pat and Charlie, so sorry for you loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. God Bless.
Leo Dutton says
I first met Bill in 1984 while I attended the Airframe and Power Plant School. He was my instructor for the airframe section. “Mr. McCurdy” was interested to see his students learn the correct material and then demonstrate the knowledge with a project. He gave everyone a fair chance to learn and he didn’t like people being late to his class. If you were five minutes late, you owed him an hour. He had quite a work party of students several times, yup, me too working on the Connie. He was a great person who demonstrated how to live a great life with values at the front. He was a great teach and later, a friend. To his family, my condolences. I later worked with Russ, so I know Bill passed his values on and raised Godly men.
Barb Baum and Bonnie Maras says
We’d like to send our thoughts and prayers to all of you on the loss of Ed. Mom was showing me the pictures he took for dad and gifted to him of a sunset and fly over, a treasured gift as they made it into frames and on the bookshelf. May they have a reunion to talk over the good ole days in Unionville.
Scott Sveinson says
I was a young kid at the time, but I remember that Bill was struck by lightening while on a roof – at least once. I also remember the small skunk that was a pet – I think Bill had removed the glands that held the spray – that always amazed me. I am very sorry to hear about his passing. My thoughts are with the family, they’re all good people.
Nita Rima says
–When the Lord calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories that can never be erased. I am so sorry for your loss. Bill, was a good guy and I am happy that I got to know him.
God is always in your corner at a time like this — and so am I if you need anything Nadine. Prayers for all of you. God Bless xxx
Thomas McKeever says
I will always remember what a great man Mr. McCurdy was to me. My very sincere condolences to the entire McCurdy family, my gratitude towards all of you will live on forever..
Curt Milledge says
I never met Bill but would have loved to have known him. I understood him to be just like my father in his creative mind always searching for a way to make a better mouse trap. It also appeared that he was a very talented individual.
My condolences to the family… I think of him and his three sons every time I use one of the many tools I got from his estate.
Scott Walter says
Bill was a fine friend to me. We shared many good stories leaning on the fence. In the last few years before Bill had to move to town, he would come over to my mill. I would shut down and we would have a good visit.
One day I turned a huge log. It made a big noise and Bill came down your lane mighty quick to see that I was okay.
The best to Nadine, Russ, Pat, Charlie, and your families. I’ll never forget your husband, and father. Be Well
John Grove says
I met Bill and Nadine through their son Patrick. I was a new believer and down on my luck trying to do right. Bill and Nadine let me stay in their camper on their property for nigh on 6 months till I got on my feet. Honestly, I do not think I would be alive today nor still walking with the Lord today of it weren’t for Bill and Nadine. Bill and I spoke a lot drinking tea, coffe and Nadine, what a sweet, sweet woman. Wow, this man spoke into my life — his dream was to build a paddle wheel and take it up the Mississippi River — if any one could do it, believe me, Bill could. I don’t, know if Bill ever got to follow that dream but I know that the Lord used him in my life, which enabled me to see dreams I never knew I had. Thank you Bill and thank you McCurdy family. John Grove