William “Bill” Edgar Samson passed peacefully on Monday, January 19 after an 18 month battle with cancer. He was born on June 7, 1929 in Helena to Frances (Seely) Samson and Edgar Samson. His mother later married Tom Johnson who helped to raise the boys into the fine men they became. Dad’s Montana roots date back to his grandfather, J.B. Seely, for whom Seeley Lake was named. Following graduation from Helena High School in 1947, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Korea and Japan.
He married his high school sweetheart, Lucille Hinman, and they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in August. They welcomed children Shelley, Julie and David. He had a 36 year career with Mountain Bell and the family made lifelong friends in Helena, Great Falls and Billings before returning to Helena to begin an early retirement at age 54.
Dad volunteered with Community Chest/ United Way, Habitat for Humanity, VA Hospital, Boy Scouts, YMCA Board of Directors, and was a long time blood donor to the American Red Cross. He was one of the founders of the CM Russell Art Auction, member of the Last Chance Runner’s Club and instrumental in starting the annual Governor’s Cup Race, president of the Great Falls Advertising Club, Toastmaster of the Year, lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers, Board member for the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce and elected to the Great Falls City Commission for two terms and the University of Great Falls President’s Council. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years as a session and committee member and all-around handyman.
Dad pursued passions of 10K road races, hiking, fly fishing, skiing, road biking, golfing, and was an avid walker. He spent weekends following University of Montana and Carroll College football, all Helena High sports and most every activity involving any of his eight grandchildren. Endless summers were spent at family cabins in Lincoln and Swan Lake enjoying the lifelong friends made in Dirt Bags Bible study, Swan Lake walkers and the comradery of hundreds of hikes in the Jewell Basin, Mission Mountains, Beartooth, Bitterroot, Pintler, Elkhorn, Big Belt and the Swan mountain ranges. His sanctuary, however, was Glacier National Park where he bagged 77 peaks and summited over 100 times. A personal highlight was conquering Granite Peak, Montana’s highest mountain, on his fifth attempt.
Dad was preceded in death by brothers Dick and Tom. He is survived by his wife Lucille, half siblings Barry (Carol) Samson and Patty (Charlie) Rountree, children Shelley (Don) Pelc, Julie (Scot) Ferda, and David Samson. His beloved grandchildren Brian, Brady and Bryson Pelc; Tucker, Taylor and Ashley Ferda and Elizabeth and Lauren Samson as well as great grandsons Cooper, Jackson, Anderson, and Bennett Pelc and first great granddaughter, Lucy Ferda, due in April.
A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 26th at the First Presbyterian Church 535 N. Ewing Street. A reception will immediately follow in the social center of the church. A graveside service with full military honors will immediately follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Memorials in Bill’s name are suggested to First Presbyterian Church 535 N. Ewing Street, Helena, MT 59601; Glacier Park Conservancy at http://glacierconservancy.org/ , Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601, or Prickly Pear Land Trust, PO Box 892 Helena, MT 59624. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Bill.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday January 26, 2015
First Presbyterian Church
515 Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the memorial service
Monday January 26, 2015
First Presbyterian Church
535 Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Monday January 26, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday January 26, 2015
First Presbyterian Church
515 Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the memorial service
Monday January 26, 2015
First Presbyterian Church
535 Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Monday January 26, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Ross Cannon says
My sympathies to Bill’s family. He was a great guy. It was a privilege to have known him over a lot of years.
Bev and Don OPITZ says
Dear Lucille and Shelly and family, We are saddened to read of Bill’s passing. He was a good man. Hugs to all of you. We. Care. God Bl ess. Bev and DOn Opitz
Cindy and Gary Bowers says
We met Bill & Lu through Julie and Scott Ferda. Bill’s sincere and warm smile, sense of humor, and positive attitude were evident from the start and that’s how we remember him. His impact on so many lives will last forever, and we hope that brings comfort to the entire Samson family. Our condolences to Lu, Julie, Shelly, David, and the spouses who were lucky enough to call Bill their father-in-law. And to the older grandkids, continue to share the family stories and memories of your grandfather with all of those little ones… Cindy & Gary Bowers, North Carolina
Jim Cassun says
Samson Family What a great loss I worked with Bill for many years at Mountain Bell a very good friend & what a good guy none better .So sorry he will be missed Jim Cassun Jupiter Florida
"Mooney" Samson says
Our family is deeply saddened to hear about Bill’s passing. We looked forward to summers at Swan Lake, running into him on his daily walks and getting caught up on family news. Always so positive he was. Our hears are with you during this time.
Vic and Peggy Burt says
Lucille and families: We were saddened to her of your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jean & Bob Davis says
Lucille & Family: Sad to hear of Bill’s passing. A fine gentleman and a good friend. I worked with Bill many years at Mountain Bell and he always had a smile for everyone he met. We have one of his Eskimo paintings on the wall and think of him often.
Butch and Pearle Plowman says
We share in the sorrow of Bill’s passing. He was an excetptional man of God. We regret that we are unable to celebrate his lfe with you at the memorial service. Our thoughts and prayers will be there with you.
Tonna Strasko says
Lucille, Dave, family,
It’s hard to think of Bill without smiling. Bill’s smile and kind ways lit up a room when he entered. What a gift for us to remember him by.
God bless you all.
Tonna Strasko
Maureen Fisher says
My Dearest Lu, Shelley, Julie, David and families,
My Deepest and Sincerest Sympathies to all of you in the loss of a great and tremendous friend. He was not only a friend, boss, mentor but a perfect influence on both Rollie’s and my life. I personally have known Bill my whole life. Family friend to my parents, sisters, husband, children and myself.
One of the things that will always be in my memory was his beautiful smile and warm hugs. I will truly miss this part of his presence.
God Bless all of you and thank you for sharing him with all of us for so many, many years.
Keeping you in our thoughts and daily prayers,
Warm Hugs,
Maureen “Enie” Fisher and family
Carol Samson Gullickson says
Dear Aunt Lucille and family,
We were saddened to hear of Uncle Bill’s passing. My favorite thing was his smile and that he always had a smile on his face. Even though time would pass between visits he always knew where we left off. We are very thankful that he told us how to make the potato gun and the stories he would share that went along with the gun. We will miss him but we are at peace that he is not suffering and that he is at peace in heaven.
May peace soothe you, May grace hold you, Our love to comfort you.
Thinking of you at this time with deepest Sympathy,
Marilyn, Carol and Steve and family
Cecil and Deb Alexander says
We are sad to hear about the loss of your father. Please know that thoughts of you and family are in our hearts. It was a pleasure to meet William at the wedding. We knew then that he was a great person and a pleasure to know him. God has truly called an angel home.
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
What a fine man, someone we always looked up to and respected. Lucille, Dave, Julie and Shelly, please know we are thinking of you at this difficult time, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jane Seely Solberg says
To my sweet cousin Bill. You always saw the best in people and in your world. You fought a good fight and now you can rest. You’ll have time now to share with Fran, Tom and Dick. And there are more races to run, mountains to climb, golf courses to play and committees to organize. I’m sure your desk will be piled with requests. You are missed.
Mary Carstensen says
Bill is one of my Dad’s first cousins and they all grew up together. Alway gracious with a wonderful smile and quite a mountain climber, I know Bill is well loved and appreciated. Sending prayers for Bill and his family and friends and know they will be sharing wonderful memories and comfort for each other. I appreciate the times my Dad brought me along for a visit with Bill and Lucille and I hold beautiful pictures in my mind of family reunion visits to Swan.
Bonnie Bowler says
Lucille, Shelley, and family: What a great loss for all of you, and I am so sorry. Nothing lit up the morning walks as much as a smile from Bill Samson as he ambled downtown to have coffee with his pals. And, Brian, Brady, and Bryson, I know that you know what a dear, wonderful man your grandfather was. You always said good things about him and loved him so. What you didn’t tell me was about his mountain-climbing expertise. What a great story. I’ll be with you in spirit tomorrow at his service.
Marilyn and Mark Olson says
Lucille, Shelly, Julie and David,
I just got home and read of Bill’s passing our prayers are with everyone during this time. I have many great memories of our families times together and treasure each one. Bill was a great man and touched many lives in a great way. May your memories help you through the days ahead and God hold you all close.
Love Marilyn and Mark
Roger and Vickie Zikmund says
Thinking of all the family at this sad time..but remembering all the times we enjoyed Willy and Lucielle and the Pelc family during all our years together as Grizzlies and times at Swan Lake.
A wonderful person…gone but not forgotten…
Susan Samson Kiebert says
Dear Aunt Lu and Samson Cousins-
The picture of Uncle Bill with his many crazy hats dancing at one of the Samson weddings will always be in my memory and heart. His gleaming blue eyes and his wide smile carried
us through some very sad times when Our Dad, Dick, and Uncle Tom left us so suddenly and all of us will always treasure that cloak of love that he shared.
Even though time and distance lies between our visits, both Kermit and I send our love and
prayers for you all- Aunt Lu, Shelley, Julie and David. Uncle Bill is always in our thoughts and prayers. Much love to all of the Samsons..
Cyndi and Tom Steigers says
Dear Gauggy, Shelley and Family,
It is hard to say goodbye to someone you loved so much. Your papa was a wonderful man and he taught you about how to live a good life through his example. I hope your family will find comfort in the stories and memories you share of good times spent together. He’ll live on through them. Please know we are thinking of you all.
Cyndi and Tom Steigers
John Seely says
Lu, Shelly, Julie and David,
My heart goes out to each of you and to the extended Sampson family. Unfortunately, our paths crossed too few times in later years, but I have wonderful memories of Bill during my early years in Helena, and then later your summer visits to Glenwood and our visits to your home on the Swan. Bill will always be remembered for introducing the potato gun to our family. Reading Bill’s obituary, I was amazed but not surprised at his many accomplishments and achievements. I knew of his countless hiking exploits, but he really was a first class outdoorsman. What you all have to be very proud of though were his numerous civic activities — every community needs a Bill Sampsons. Bill had a great many enviable qualities and attributes and the ones we all think about more often are his sparkling eyes and big smile – great genes passed down by Fran. The service for Bill with full military honors is ongoing as write this, so I will end with the first verse of Taps. Rest well cousin. ALOHA
JOHN SEELY
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the hills, From the lake,
From the skies. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.
Jane Seely Solberg says
For my sweet cousin Bill. He never had a bad word about anyone and his smile was always his welcome. He accomplished so much in his life, serving his country as well as his family, communities and employers. He filled his life with all the outdoor things that Montana has to offer and was willing to share his travels with anyone. Our prayers go out to all of you. He now is with his “other family” and now he’s resting before he takes on the mountains and trails and golf courses in heaven and I’m sure someone will want a pull on a water ski. Enjoy what the other life has to offer and say hi to Fran, Dick and Tom as well as our cousins who also beat you there. With love, Jane
Alan Cain says
Bill was a wonderful guy and a fellow “Dirt Bag” in Bigfork. We will all miss him and his cheerful attitude toward life.
LaVon Montelius says
I worked with Bill in Marketing at Mountain States Tel for years. He was a very special man, always cheerful, kind and friendly. He was very successful in the department and liked by everyone of us. Many good memories of him. I send my condolences to his family and friends.
LaVon Montelius
Wilsonville, OR
Mary Kay Bennett says
We still have the Adirondack chairs Bill made for us over 25 years ago and I’m keeping them forever. Every time I sit on one and have a beer, I’m going to think about you, Uncle Willey. Rest in Peace- you earned it.
Mary Kay & George Bennett.
Paul Fossum says
Beautiful obit and a beautiful picture of a beautiful person. Rugged and active. Tender and kind. With so many others who have commented, I feel privileged to have experienced Bill’s warmth, his smile, and his passion for life as often as I was able to. I certainly share the sense of loss.