Former Anaconda resident William “Bill” Kloker, 71, of Helena passed away Monday, July 8, 2019 at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Bill was born September 24th, 1947 to William and Peggy (Roe) Kloker. He attended St. Paul’s School and graduated from Anaconda Central High School in 1965.
Bill married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Peggy (Mehrens), on June 29, 1968 at St. Paul’s Church in Anaconda. They were married for 51 years and raised three children, Peggy Jo, Tony, and Mary Ellen.
In 1971 Bill began working for the Anaconda Fire Department. He was a firefighter for 10 years before he was injured during a fire. Knowing his firefighting career was over, he enrolled to attend Montana Tech.
Bill graduated with honors from Montana Tech in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he began working for the State of Montana in the Department of Revenue and later with the Department of Health and Human Services. He worked as a Bureau Chief with the Department until he retired at the age of 63.
Bill modeled the importance of family, working hard and being compassionate to others. He took great pride in his children finding success with these characteristics. He loved to travel with Peggy to spend time with his family. He was very proud supporting his eight grandchildren by being their biggest fan in all of their activities.
Bill had a very competitive spirit and loved attending athletic events. His presence will be missed by the fans who could always count on him being an enthusiastically vocal participant in the crowd. He was an avid sports fan and loved cheering for the Fighting Irish, Chicago Bears, Carroll College and the Helena High Bengals.
When he wasn’t in a gym or on a field, he could be found on a golf course. Bill’s passion for golf was not only about the game but the time spent with friends and family. Bill loved to tell the story of when he hit a hole-in-one on June 1st, 2016 at Bill Roberts Golf Course.
Bill was known for selflessly helping others. He was an active member of the Catholic Church and part of St. Mary’s Parish for nearly 30 years. He was a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was also very involved with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and once served as the State President. He represented the Catholic Irishman very well with a heart of gold. He was friendly, fun, kind, and helpful to everyone he met.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Peggy Kloker, his mother and father-in-law, Robert “Babs” and Mary Ellen “Mernie” Mehrens, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mary Ellen and Mick Jacques and brother-in-law Chuck Breslin and numerous aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Peggy; son, Tony (Becky) of Helena; daughters, Mary Ellen (Dean) Lutey of Houston, Texas, Peggy Jo (Steve) Hoy of Twin Falls, Idaho; eight grandchildren, Kendra and McKayla Kloker; Jacob, Hannah and Alyssa Lutey; Nathan, Reilly and Emily Hoy; and one great-grandson, Kian Hoy. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Kay Breslin; and brother, Marty (Maureen) Kloker; sister-in laws and brother-in laws, Bobbie (Dennis) Hutzenbiler, Connie (Mike) Dewing, Laurie (J.J.) Dolan, Jack (Dixie) Mehrens, Jim (Frances) Mehrens, Joe Mehrens, and Bill Mehrens; Uncles Tom Roe, Lloyd Peterson, and Butch Miller, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to the many healthcare workers, neighbors, family and friends who have been so helpful, kind and caring especially over the past ten months.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 11th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1700 Missoula Ave. in Helena followed by a Vigil at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, July 12 at the church with a reception to follow on the lower level of the church. Immediately following the reception, the family will have a burial at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to the American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice.
Service Schedule
Viewing
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday July 11, 2019
St. Mary's Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Thursday July 11, 2019
St. Mary's Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday July 12, 2019
St. Mary's Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday July 12, 2019
Lower level of the church
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the Reception
Friday July 12, 2019
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday July 11, 2019
St. Mary's Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Thursday July 11, 2019
St. Mary's Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday July 12, 2019
St. Mary's Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday July 12, 2019
Lower level of the church
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the Reception
Friday July 12, 2019
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Melanie and Bill Rasor says
To all of Billy Joe’s family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Big hugs to you all! I have fond memories carpooling to Tech with him, Bill and I eating Chinese food at 2a.m. with him and Peg in Anaconda, and bumping into him in Helena at various places. He always greeted you with a big ‘ol smile. Our heart aches for all of you!
Mary Kay Jacobson says
Peggy and Family. Sending my love, warm thoughts and prayers. So happy to have be3n able to visit with Billy Joe at Father Dan Shea reception recently…Rip Billy Joe.
Bill and Bobbie Hiner says
Peggy and family, so sorry to hear about Billy Joe. He was a great guy and will be missed by many. God Bless all of you.
Kitty Martin says
Peggy & family, we are so sorry for your loss, I was just talking about Bill to George & we were remembering his huge laugh, it could be heard everywhere, keeping you all in our prayers.
Mike & Judy Nicholes says
Peggy and Family,
So very sorry for your loss, will keep you all in our prayers.
Aaron Holm says
Peggy and Family:
Nancy and I send our love and prayers. Billy was one of the best. We will miss him dearly.
Bob Beatty says
Our deepest sympathies for your loss. As an old Central classmate of Bill’s, me and my family extend our heartfelt condolences.
Maura Gruber says
Deepest sympathy to Peggy and the Kloker family. Billy Joe was always a wonderfully cheerful addition to so many childhood memories of Hibernian festivities. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Rudy Tomich says
I had the privilege of meeting Bill while he was at Revenue. I found him to be a person to be admired. His personality and character were beyond reproach. He has earned his reward in heaven. May God bless. My condolences to his family.
Mariann Matosich says
Mariann Matosich says:
To Peggy and family I send my deepest sympathy to each and everyone of you. What beautiful memories you will have to cherish forever!
“What the Heart once had, you shall never lose “
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Donna and Dave says
May happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time. Billy Joe was a great cousin. Prayers to you all.
Dani (Mehrens) Arnott says
Peggy and family my heart and prayers go out to all of you.
Mary Pat Daly Harris says
Peggy & Family,
Just learned of Bills death. Prayers for you guys.. He was a Good & Loving person.
Ron & Mary Pat Daly Harris
Ruth McDonough says
Peggy and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Billy Joe. I loved his giant smile and “how she go”. He was a great classmate…many memories.
My prayers for your family.
Bill Alger says
Peggy and Family,
I am so sorry, I thought so much of Bill. We attended college at Montana Tech together, both graduating in 1987. We worked at Revenue together and also worked together at DPHHS. That being said, he was more than a just classmate and co-worker to me, I considered him my friend and I will miss him. It was an honor to know him.
KATHLEEN BROUSSARD says
We are so sorry about Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We loved working with Bill at MT DOR. He will really be missed. He was a great guy.
Keith, Kathleen, and Kory Broussard
Fran Laughlin says
I’m so sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. I’ll always remember him at the fire hall in Anaconda with a huge smile on his face. He always took time to say hello to me whenever we ran into each other. He was a good Anaconda Irishman!
Bunny (Stephanie) Daniels says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I really liked Bill, he was so much fun, a great boss, ready to join in on all our activities at work. Even though after I retired, then he retired we didn’t see much of each other, except in passing , the memories I will anyways have are previous
Bob Mehrens says
Peggy and family, I am so, so sorry. Billy Joe was such a great guy. He will be truly missed. Reading his obituary and the reference to being a big sports fan made me think of time he was in Chicago and we went to a Cubs game. I think he got a kick about riding the train to the game. There are so many more memories.
Sarah Wilkin-Brandt says
A beautiful tribute to an amazing man. Peggy Jo and family, please know that you are loved so much as you grieve the loss of your hero. I am so happy that I was able to meet him. Your dad is a wonderful soul that will always be with you. I will always think of him while watching the Irish play and also when I go to Jackpot- he and your mom were always so lucky there! It was always the luck of the Irish!! Love to you all.
Cindy Cathey says
Craig and I send our sincere sympathy to the whole family. Our thoughts and love are with you at this time. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Bobbi Lorengo says
He was absolutely one of the best. Prayers to the entire family during this incredibly difficult time.
Becky Bleile LaRoque says
Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Mary Ann says
So sorry to hear about Kloke. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Janet McNamee Bjornemo says
I am so sorry to hear about Bill. My thoughts and prayers are with the Kloker family. Rest In Peace Bill.
Mary Ann & Jack Kovacich says
So sad to learn of Billy Joe’s passing. He was a truly great man. Always had that big smile and happy face. We really appreciated all the time we got to spend with him. He was one of a kind. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Curtis Asay says
Dearest Peggy and family. Losing a beloved family member is always hard but the patriarch seems to be hardest especially when they’ve been such an influence in so many lives. Please know that we care and we send our deepest sympathies. We love you and your family.
Curt and Ellen Asay
Marguerite Sestrich Beatty says
Peggy and family, sincere sympathy
and prayers. He will be missed.
Eileen Lindell says
Peggy – my sincere sympathy to you and your family. I always enjoyed visiting with Bill when he would stop by the office or run into him around town. He will be missed by many.
Eileen Dorsey Dickson says
Peggy and family, what wonderful memories you must have. So sorry for your loss.
Nancy Gonzalez says
Prayers & my sincere condolences
Janet and Dennis Sheehy says
Very Sorry to hear about the passing of Bill. We had the great pleasure of knowing Bill through the Hibernians, Carroll sports and golf. He was a man of vast integrity, leadership and loyalty. Condolences to Peggy and Bill’s family. He will be missed. God Bless
Mary Monger says
Dear Peggy and family. I was so sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. He lead a wonderful life. Please find comfort in all your great memories of him. Friends, family and faith are there to help you through this difficult time.
Jack Connor says
Peggy and Family: Your loss, our loss, we all loved the Husband, Father, friend, classmate, teammate, and compassionate man that he was and is, to all his life touched. His arms are around us all.
Don Phillip says
Dear Peggy and family, I am deeply sadden by Bill’s passing. Though the Class of 65 mourns with you, our memory of his solid character and boisterous laughter will not be forgotten.
You made a difference Bill.
Peace to the Kloker Family.
Eddy and Mary Crowley says
Peggy and family. Mary and I were saddened to learn of Bills passing. I will forever remember the “good” times at the office. Our prayers are with your family.