Helena Attorney, William G. Sternhagen, 86, died Friday, November 6 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana. Bill battled cancer for 15 years and endured a stroke 4 years ago.
Bill was born on 11 July, 1929 in Havre, Montana, three months before the great depression and grew up in Glasgow, Montana. He was one of 9 children and learned in the early days how to work hard to support his family and contribute in a positive way to his community.
He raised his family in Helena, practicing law and leading and participating in several organizations in the community. He was a loving and giving man, husband, father, grandfather, colleague, and friend; a true example of a member of The Greatest Generation. He most enjoyed spending time with his family and did whatever it took to ensure his kids had the opportunity to succeed.
As Lt. Sternhagen, “Wild Bill” served in the U.S. Air Force and flew F-86 Sabre Jets in the Korean War with 52 combat missions, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was known for his bravery and fighting spirit. He loved to fly jets and was a great pilot and warrior. Bill was proud of his service and a true patriot, often wishing he had stayed in the Air Force. After his combat tour, he was an instructor and then left the Air Force, attending Carroll College and the University of Montana Law School.
In 1958, he married Joyce M. Morgan, a Carroll Graduate and Nurse, of Helena. Bill practiced law for a short time in Glasgow before returning to Helena to be an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Montana. After his service to the State, Bill joined private practice in Helena and was a distinguished and respected attorney, practicing law for over 50 years. As an attorney, he prided himself on being able to help people with their problems and took personal and professional responsibility to do his very best to help others.
Bill was a devout Catholic, from being an altar boy at a very young age, to lecturing at Sunday mass at St Mary’s. He attended daily mass for most of his life. He also led and participated in numerous church and community organizations including the Montana Cancer Society, Kiwanis Club, Ducks Unlimited, the Helena Trap Club, and many others.
Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his family, relatives, and friends and was an avid outdoorsman. He most loved hunting geese, elk, and fishing. He was a Life Scout and always regretted not making Eagle and lived the Scout Oath and Law every day of his life.
An accomplished athlete and competitor, Bill was a 6-sport athlete in high school and played football for Carroll College under the legendary John Gillardi. Known as a “60 minute man”, he never left the field, playing the full game on both sides of the ball as halfback, safety, and special teams. “Wild Bill” loved to carry the ball and to tackle. Known at Carroll and across the conference as one of the “fastest and toughest ever”, he was inducted into the Carroll Hall of Fame and was twice named 1st Team All-Conference Halfback.
Bill is survived by his wife Joyce and children Bill, Ann, Joe, and Maggie as well as his sister Rita and numerous grandchildren and relatives.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday November 10, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday November 10, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Ross Cannon says
My sympathies to the Sternhagen family. Bill was a great guy and a long time friend. He will be missed.
JACK SCANLON says
DEAR JOYCE BILL ANN JOE MAGGIE ALL THE SCANLONS FEEL BAD ABOUT OUR WONDERFUL NEIGHBOR WHEN WE LIVED IN HELENA!!!! WE ALL WISH YOU COMFORT STRENGTH AT THIS PASSEING,,,,SENDING PRAYERS LOVE!! JACK CAROLYN CHRISTINE MARTY MOLLY JACK SCANLON….
Dean Retz says
great memories of Bill and his family! From watching his children grow up with mine, to hunting the American Bar/Spring Gulch area for ever! Just last Saturday, we were hunting above the “Sternhagen property”, and was not aware of Bill’s passing until Sunday.
jeff sherlock says
I remember Bill as being very kind to me when I was a young lawyer; he easily could have taken advantage of my inexperience, but instead was a true gentleman and kind mentor; rest in peace Bill
Carolyn DeMartino says
Dear Joyce and family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. Bill was such a nice man and a great neighbor. Bill taught me how to start my lawnmower the first summer I lived across the street from Joyce and him. He was also the one who good-naturedly told me I may want to get rid of that plant with purple flowers growing in the front yard as it was spotted knapweed. I am so grateful that this past summer I was able to sit and chat with you Joyce; and your dear Bill for awhile. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.
Jen and Don Gill says
Dearest Joyce and Family,
Our deepest sympathy and love to you and want you to know that you are in our prayers. Wish we could be there for you but you will be in all our thoughts. God Bless.
Erv & Carol Kent says
Neighbor’s from years ago sympathy from our family to yours.
Terry and Karen Screnar says
Joyce and Family—Loss of a great friend and hunting companion. Bill was a great American.. I cornered Bill at a Helena air show and he finally opened up as to what it was really like flying F-86s in the Korean conflict. Especially when he was chased by a MIG a couple hundred miles while the MIG pilot was right on his tail. Bill survived by his great flying ability despite the fact that the MIGs of those days had greater capabilities. That was a special time for me because Bill normally never talked about those type of situations. God Bless all of you.
Robert "Stuts" Dieruf says
Dear Joyce, I am so sorry to have heard of the passing of Bill. One memory I always remember from many many years ago was the time at the cabin on the Lake. I’d never expierenced that before and coming straight from California as a young boy it was something I’ve never forgotten. What a Great person Bill was, My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family. Stuts
Helen & Joe Beausoleil says
Dear Maggie and family:
We have wonderful memories of your father. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a story to share. I fondly remember your high school days Maggie when I first got to know your family. Your father was such a support to Joe and I when my mother died. I then was fortunate to see him once in awhile at St. Johns where I would check on you and he’d share a story or two about the family. A great man… may God comfort you with treasured memories. Our love,…Helen and Joe
David Cannon says
i have such great memories of spending time as a young kid with Joe, Maggie, Ann and Bill (and the dogs George and Big John) – water skiing, playing kick the can and skiing in particular. Mr. Sternhagen was always a part of it, especially driving that big Suburban to Bridger Bowl. So sorry to hear he has passed. Sympathies to the family.
john etchart says
I remember very well when Bill came home from Korea. Maybe I was 7 or 8
at the time and the Sternhagen family lived on the corner across the street
from us in Glasgow. Bill was a hero, a hot-shot combat jet pilot returning from
the war. Handsome and “cool” and friendly, Bill could not have stirred more
excitement among the kids in the neighborhood!
I knew Bill as an adult too. He was a fine fellow and will be missed by his family
and friends of course, but also by our community. I’m sorry to see him go. Best
wishes to the lovely Joyce and children.
Last Chancers Barbershop Chorus says
Joyce & family: Bill was a friend of the Last Chancers’ Barbershop Chorus providing us a comfortable place to practice on Tuesday nights for many years. Our deepest sympathies for your loss.
Marilyn and Dave Miller says
Dave and I treasured the years that we all followed Joe and David while they played football at Helena High School and Montana Tech, from road trips to the great airplane adventure to North Dakota. If there is ever anything you need, Joyce, you only need to call.
Robert Rossberg says
Bill and Family. Have lots of great memories of you all and your dad. You have my deepest sympathies.
William Ruiz, USAF Ret says
Men like Lt. Sternhagen appear in our midst once in a long, long while. I am a Wild Bill from the Vietnam era. I was at Williams AFB until the time of closure in 1993. I live close by in Mesa, Az and have been associated with Williams since I was in grade school. I am sorry for your loss of such a fine person. He is everything I would have liked to have been. I watch the 36 FB Squadron Korea 1953 web entry all the time and never get tired of watching the
F 86’s, such beautiful aircraft. God Bless the Sternhagen Family and thank you for sharing Lt. Bill with us. We will see him again and he can show us his second set of wings.