William “Bill” Howard Stevens, age 85, passed away following a brief illness on October 14, 2018 at the VA Medical Center at Fort Harrison, Montana. Bill was born to Clarence “Shorty” Stevens and Opal (Bowman) Stevens on June 14th 1933 in Wolf creek Montana. Dad grew up in various towns in Montana including Wolf Creek, Augusta, Great Falls, Townsend and Helena.
Dad joined the US Army at the age of 17. He started in the tank crews, occasionally serving as a cook. Due to a mix-up in paper work/orders and to his great surprise he was transferred to the hospital where he was trained as a medic. He served one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. During his Military career he and the family were stationed in Texas, Colorado (twice), Kansas, Louisiana, Germany and Montana, when he was overseas. Dad mentioned that one time he reported for duty and instead of a hospital they encountered 4 acres of land and stacks of lumber. They had to build their own hospital. He retired as a Master Sargent in 1971, returning with the family to Helena.
Bill married Marjorie Rudio, on February 14, 1959, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Helena. They were married, until she passed away on July 3, 1990, at St. Peter’s Hospital. He married Lois “Pickles” Pare, on October 23, 1998, at the home of Kathleen and Harold Hoffman, in Helena. She proceeded him in death on April 1st, 2008.
After Dad returned from the Army he worked as an orderly at the VA, in Helena. After a few years he went to work for the Silver City Mill, until it closed. He worked for Helena Industries, until shortly after mom passed and he became “retired”.
Dad enjoyed hunting, fishing, and reading, later in life. One of his greatest joys was arguing with his cousin/brother Gene Hoffman, over pfeffernuts at Christmas time.
Dad belonged to multiple Masonic organizations, and the DAV. Dad became interested in the Shriners after experiencing the wonderful care his brother Floyd received at the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Spokane. Dad was a Shriner and a member of Scottish Rite. He belonged to Boulder Lodge #4, Ottawa #51 in Marysville, Valley#21 in Townsend, Virginia City #1 and Bannack #16. He belonged to Eastern Star Chapters Mountain Star #130 in Marysville, Miriam #1 in Helena and Josephine Hepner #89 also in Helena. He held many positions in these organizations including Worshipful Master, Secretary and Worthy patron. He also served as an unofficial member of the Daughters of the Nile, while married to Lois.
Bill is survived by Maggie, his loyal canine companion; daughters: Terri Stevens, Tammie (Dennis) Cotton and Toni (Steve) Larsen, Judi (Steve) McCall and family, and Mark (Jan) Pare and family; grandchildren: George, Brandon, and Phillip Cotton; Jaymie and Ian (Tawney)Larsen; great grandchildren: Taylor, Avayah and Ezlynn Larsen; brother: Floyd (Mary Ellen) Rudnick, niece and nephew: Jennifer and Tom along with their families, Uncle Howdy and Aunt Audrey Bowman; Aunt Nancy Everhard: cousins: Anna and Hilary Hoffman, Jim Hoff and family; and Bernie Brantley.
He is proceeded in death by his parents: Opal and Shorty Stevens; sister: Betty, both of his wives, Marjorie and Lois; Kathleen and Harold Hoffman (aunt/uncle); Gene Hoffman (cousin/brother) and Hannah Rudnick.
Memorials are suggested to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, c/o Algeria Shrine Temple, PO Box 4879, Helena, MT 59604 or the Lewis & Clark Council Honor Guard, 1185 Sonoma Drive, Helena, MT 59601
Honorary Pallbearers George, Brandon and Phillip Cotton, Ian Larsen., Jim and Justin Hoff.
Dad, Grandpa, Papa Bill, we love you, will miss you and hope you and Gene are sitting at a fishing hole in Heaven, drinking coffee, eating sandwiches and telling bad jokes.
A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 19th at the Algeria Shrine Temple, 15 N. Jackson Street, in the auditorium. A luncheon reception to follow in the dining room following the service. A committal service with military honors will be 2:30 p.m., at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to give condolences or share a memory of Bill.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday October 19, 2018
Algeria Shrine Temple Auditorium
15 N. Jackson St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
To follow the memorial service at the
Friday October 19, 2018
Algeria Shrine Temple
in the dining room.
,
Burial with Military Honors
To follow the reception.
Friday October 19, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
,
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday October 19, 2018
Algeria Shrine Temple Auditorium
15 N. Jackson St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
To follow the memorial service at the
Friday October 19, 2018
Algeria Shrine Temple
in the dining room.
,
Burial with Military Honors
To follow the reception.
Friday October 19, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
,
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Diana Hall says
Tammie and family, So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you with love and praying the Lord puts His comforting arms around all of you! Hugs!