William (Bill) Charles Allison passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74 on December 24th or 25th, 2023. He was born in Missoula, Montana on August 21st, 1949 and grew up in Helena, graduating from Helena High School in 1967. Shortly after his graduation, Bill joined the Marine Corps, and after boot camp, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan until his commitment to the military was completed.
When he returned to the US, Bill worked in New Mexico as an ironworker for a few months, before returning to Helena. He went to work for the Sheriff’s Department as a jailer at the Lewis & Clark County jail, which gave him his first taste of law enforcement. From 1983-1989, he worked as a patrol officer and then detective for the Helena Police Department. In 1989, Bill went to work at the Fort Harrison VA Fire Department. Then after 10 years, he left to pursue his first calling – Construction. He founded Allison Construction Company and worked there the rest of his life. Friends and family often heard him say that “Central office” was keeping him extraordinarily busy!
Bill was blessed with passion for life and friendship. He was an avid reader and loved reading books to his grandchildren and great nieces & nephews when visiting. He also read to his sight-impaired sister every Sunday. His varied interests included (but were not limited to) riding his motorcycles, flying radio-controlled aircraft, collecting fine art & pottery, cross country skiing, cooking, throwing darts, and Wii golfing. These were all activities that he pursued in order to spend time with family & friends, which was his real passion.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother Barbara Sallgren and father Lyle Allison, and aunts Sally & Pat. He is survived by a daughter Jennifer Rutledge and grandchildren, son Russell Allison & his wife Sarah and grandchildren Elisabeth & Chloe, sister Teresa Allison and brother Wayne Allison and his wife Rita, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Liberty Baptist Church, located at 210 Sierra Rd W, in Helena, MT on January 13th at 1pm, reception immediately following.
The Mahlers says
Hugs to your sweet family
Tom Johnson says
Worked with Bill thru out his tenure at FHVA Fire Dept. and also developed a good personal relationship with him. He was greatly admired for his professionalism and his love for friends and family.
John Hoffland says
BA threw a mean game of darts. Bill had an inimitable rapid-throwing darts style and when he has hot he was really HOT. He was a sweet man who also loved to discuss the latest book he was reading and spoke fondly of reading with his sister. He will be sorely missed.
P.T. Rehmann says
Rest in Peace Bill. You are now there with Retired HPD Assistant Chief Brockway & Retired HPD captain Bryson.May peace be with you.
P.T. Rehmann
Retired HPD
Ken Robbins says
Bill was a great guy and a great friend. I’ll miss many things about him, especially his unannounced visits to my office, where we would (literally) shut down so that we could all enjoy Bill’s pleasant animations….. Godspeed, my friend…..