Dr William Daniel McFarland, Jr., age 77, of Fort Benton, Montana, passed away Friday, March 8, 2013 due to an extended illness.
Bill was born on June 28, 1935 to William Daniel McFarland and Irene Adele (Johnson) McFarland in Great Falls, Montana. Bill graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1953, was an undergraduate at Northern Montana College in Havre in 1958, and received his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 1962. Following school, Bill spent a year as a resident clinician at the University of Minnesota. He moved back to Montana in 1963; he married Denise Verbrugghen McFarland on June 9, 1963 and spent a year practicing veterinary medicine in Livingston before opening the Benton Veterinary Clinic in 1964. Bill spent 40 years providing veterinary care here before retiring in 2004. He was the Montana Delegate to the American Veterinary Association for eight years and received the Montana Veterinarian Medical Association president’s award in 2005. He was very involved and passionate about the veterinary field.
In his free time, Bill enjoyed being with his family and grandchildren and being involved in their activities. He would also visit local farmers and ranchers and helped them with their animals. He cared deeply for people’s families and their histories. He also loved hunting and fishing. He was a prolific reader and academic about all veterinary things. He also loved his Bible study.
Bill was an active member of AVMA, MVMA, Toastmasters, Kiwanis, Community Bible Church, and was the treasurer of the Great Falls Chapter Gideons.
Bill is survived by his wife, Denise Verbrugghen McFarland; children, Dr. Warner (Amy) McFarland, Dr. Garret (Tammie) McFarland, and Kyla L. Morton; brother, Ron McFarland; sister, Elinor Carver; and grandchildren, Adam McFarland, Catie McFarland, William McFarland, Ben McFarland, Anne-Marie McFarland, Bailey Morton, Kellyn Morton, and Olivia Morton.♥
Bill was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Nicole McFarland.
Visitation will be from 10:00 to 10:40 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Community Bible Church; 1600 Main St., Fort Benton, MT. A Funeral Service will begin at 10:55 at the church. A reception will follow the funeral service at the Community Bible Youth Center. Because of Bill’s involvement with the Youth Center, Bill’s family would appreciate memorials be made to the Community Bible Youth Center; 1600 Main St., Fort Benton, MT 59442.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m,. to 10:40 a.m.
Saturday March 30, 2013
Community Bible Church
1600 Main St.
Fort Benton, MT 59442
Funeral Mass
10:55 a.m.
Saturday March 30, 2013
Community Bible Church
1600 Main St
Fort Benton, MT 59442
Reception
Following the Funeral Mass
Saturday March 30, 2013
Community Bible Youth Center
Fort Benton, MT 59442
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m,. to 10:40 a.m.
Saturday March 30, 2013
Community Bible Church
1600 Main St.
Fort Benton, MT 59442
Funeral Mass
10:55 a.m.
Saturday March 30, 2013
Community Bible Church
1600 Main St
Fort Benton, MT 59442
Reception
Following the Funeral Mass
Saturday March 30, 2013
Community Bible Youth Center
Fort Benton, MT 59442
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Paul and Frances Bogner Berwyn AB Canada says
Our Sincere Sympathy on the passing of Billy. We were great friends all through school, and neighbors on the farm. We enjoyed visiting visiting with Billy at the FBHS reunions for the class of 1953. We also pass on Condolences from Donnie and Josie Bogner.
Priscilla & Merle Seright says
Bill McFarland families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss or your loved one. He was a good friend and Vet,and will be missed
Amy LaFleur says
Denise and Family,
My prayers and thoughts are with you all in this time of sorrow. I pray that you will feel the Lord’s arms wrapped around and that you will find peace and comfort in knowing that Bill is in a much better place free from pain….. It was great having a vet in Ft. Benton for my dog Toby when I needed one for him…… May the Lord Bless you all…..
Amy LaFleur ( Pensacola FL )
Billie and Frank Houle says
Denise we very saddened by bill’s death he was a great person and colleague. Bill was a person of great integrity and possessed more intellectual curiosity than anyone I ever knew. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten please accept our sincere condolences. Billie and Frank Houle
Craig Kiner says
I was very sorry to hear about your loss. Bill and I got to know each other at MVMA meetings mostly….he was a gentleman and a highly regarded colleague. He will be missed; our profession has lost a valuable asset. Take comfort in knowing that Bill’s future lies safely in the hands of a merciful, loving and forgiving God, Jehovah. Perhaps after his resurrection, Bill can still put his veterinary skills to use once again. But his time he will have company….the bear that feeds along with the cow and the wolf that resides for a while with the male lamb..(Isaiah 11:6-9). With sincere sympathy, Craig and Baiba Kiner
Sandy says
I am sorry for your loss of Bill. You have my condolences.
When our greatest enemy ‘death’ strikes, it can bring overwhelming pain and sorrow.
However, God promises he will sustain us if we throw our burdens on him (Psalm 55:22).
We also have the resurrection hope (John 5:28,29). We can look forward to seeing our dead loved ones again.
I hope these scriptural thoughts bring you some comfort.