William “Bill” Olson of Helena, MT died of natural causes on March 29, 2014. He was 89 years of age and passed away at the VA Medical Center- Fort Harrison. Bill was born in Chinook, MT on November 14, 1924, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ole J. Olson. Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, two brothers, Harry and Robert, and four sisters, Elsie Olson, Anna Wingard, Hilga Swenson, and Osa Howe.
Surviving Bill are his wife of 62 years, Gloriann; sons Doug (Theresa) of Helena, Mark (Sandee) of Concord, CA, and Todd (Rehanna) of Helena; daughter Debbie (Allen) Janes of Great Falls; grandchildren Nathan and Megan Janes of Great Falls and Whitney (Bobby) Riviere of Bozeman (Debbie); Spencer, Caitlin, and William Olson (Todd); and great-grandchildren Alina, Alex, Asher, and Andrew Janes (Nathan).
Bill spent his childhood days in Chinook, graduating from Chinook High School in 1942. He entered the US Army in 1943 and served overseas in France, Germany, and Austria in combat operations from mid-1944 to VE Day in 1945. He returned to the US and was honorably discharged in April, 1946. Following his discharge from the service, Bill enrolled at Utah State University in Logan, UT in the fall of 1946; he graduated with a Civil Engineering Degree in 1950. Returning to Chinook, Bill married Gloria on October 28, 1951 and worked as the Blaine County Surveyor until May 1953, when he and Gloria left Chinook and moved to Sidney, MT. There, Bill was employed as a Sales Engineer for Armco Steel Company. His tenure with Armco Steel resulted in transfers to Missoula in 1958 and to Helena in 1963. Bill left Armco Steel in 1975, after 22 years of service. He joined the staff of the Montana Contractors’ Association in 1975 and retired from the Executive Director’s position in 1990, after 15 years. In 1990, Bill was awarded the ‘Blue and Gold Award’ from Montana State University Bozeman for his longstanding dedication and service to the MSU School of Engineering and its Student Chapter of the Contractors’ Association.
Full retirement for Bill took place in 1998, after working at the Helena Wal-Mart as a People Greeter for 6 years. Bill continued his post-retirement work by doing legislative volunteer work for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) for 10 years and by volunteering an additional 6 years in the admissions department at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena.
A long history of participation in the sport of bowling on the state and national level was a major part of Bill’s life. He served as Secretary of the Montana State Men’s Bowling Association and additionally served as a National Director of The American Bowling Congress for a period of 9 years. Bill was inducted into the Montana Bowling Hall of Fame in 1984. Bill also enjoyed golfing (very much), and was a member of the Green Meadow Country Club in Helena for many years.
Bill will be remembered with the highest regard by all those who had the privilege to know him, and will be dearly missed by all those who love him.
Cremation has taken place and memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, at 11:00 AM Thursday, April 3, 2014. A reception will follow at 12:30 PM at the First Baptist Church of Montana. Burial with military honors will be at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison in Helena. Memorials may be made in Bill’s honor to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m
Thursday April 3, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Thursday April 3, 2014
First Baptist Church
201 8th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Thursday April 3, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m
Thursday April 3, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Thursday April 3, 2014
First Baptist Church
201 8th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Thursday April 3, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59602
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Allen Stenhjem Family says
Bill was a Great Guy ,spent many Hours with him on the links ,will be missed by many.God Bless…….
Linda Ott Gimbel says
Aunt Glo,
I was so sorry to here of Uncle Bill’s passing. My heart goes out to you and your entire family. Both you and he were always good to me and Frank and we always looked forward to seeing you at family celebrations. IE: Bette and Paul’s anniversary was the last time.
The sweetest memory I have of you guys is when you met Frank and me in Missoula as we headed to NM after being married that weekend. The cash you gave us was just enough for us to make it to our new home with a balance of $2.50 in our pocket. I pray for strength for all of you during this very trying time and beyond.
Patty and Randy Wood says
Doug, Theresa and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May the special memories (pinochle, bowling, golf, holidays) shared with your dad carry you through the sad days ahead.
Warmest regards,
Patty and Randy
Bob Day says
Bill was a man that I respected very much and was one of the kindest peoples I have ever known. Bill will be missed by all that knew him. A finer man I have never known ! My prayers are with you all.
Eugene Koch says
It is with sadness that I read of Bill’s passing. I got to know Bill many years ago after my wife and I were married. They were good friends thru their work in highway construction. Bill would always have a smille and handshake when I saw him out and about. He was the best greeter Wal-Mart ever had. Just a really great guy. My condolences to the family. God be with you in your time of grief.
Nancy Morgan says
To the Olson family, So sorry to hear of your loss. Bill always had such a great smile and loved to catch up on the neighborhood news when I would see him. May your warm memories help you through these difficult days ahead.
God bless. Nancy Schroeder Morgan
Janet and Dennis Sheehy says
Doug,
We are very sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. Best wishes to you and your family in this sad time. God Bless
Tim Easton says
Gloria, Doug, Mark, Todd and Debbie
Sorry to hear of Bills’ passing. Always enjoyed visiting with Him whether it was at the Bowling Alley, Golf Course or at the Car Dealership. He was a real Gentleman and will be missed by all. My sincere Condolences to you all and God Bless.
Terry Harris says
To all of the Olson family I would like to offer my condolences to you. Bill was a real gentleman and will be missed by all. I played a lot of golf and bowled with Bill over the years and he was always so upbeat. God Bless.
Sherri Anderson-Staats says
I have many wonderful and fond memories of working with Bill at Wal-Mart. He was always a kind gentlemen. He touched the lives of many people I know he will be miss greatly by many. He always referred to me as “Oopma”. God’s speed Bill. My blessings to your family.
Bob Howe says
Aunt Gloria and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bill’s spirit will long be with us. His kindness to our family will never be forgotten. Bob (Lorton, VA)
Barbara Lafrantz says
Bill certainly lived life to the fullest. He was a kind and thoughtful man. After visiting with him at a Chinook High School reunion, he called us while in Bigfork. We didn’t get together but always remember the call and thoughts that went with it.
God Bless you Gloriann, and your family.
Jim Card says
Gloria and Family
My prayers and thoughts go out to you during this time of loss. I apologize now for not being able to attend the funeral, but know that I have great memories of Bill and the years of bowling. I wish all of you peace and love at this time. May God comfort you.
God Bless to you and your Family
David Campbell says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Bob & Deb Pascool says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Bill was always a perfect gentleman and
a great person to be around. I was associated with Bill during my years of bowling, he was a great competitor. Bill will be missed by all who knew him. God bless you Gloria, and your family.
John Lageruist says
Doug and Todd,
Your dad was a great guy!! He was always someone I truly enjoyed seeing and talking with. He will be missed by a lot of people. God bless your family. May your memories ease your loss.
Mike Cooney says
Doug, Todd and family,
I feel very fortunate to have gotten to know Bill over the years. He always had a smile and a kind word. I always knew that I would have a better outlook on life after a brief visit with him. In his own way, he made this world a better place. God bless all of you.
With my deepest sympathy,
Daniel Wirtz & Family says
Bill was like my second dad…I will miss him so very much. He was a man i looked up to and had the deepest respect for. He is in a better place now and my hope is that you find some peace in knowing that. God Bless…
The Wirtz Family
Bob and Mardi Millons says
We were sad to learn of Bill’s passing. What a special person. His positive attitude and smile always gave us joy. He will be missed. God Bless…
Bob and Mardi Millons
Charlene says
I was lucky enough to not only know Bill as part of my extended family but to also have the honor of taking care of him at the VA. He was very special.
Charlene
Jean and Clarence Applegate says
Gloria and family,
What a gentleman was Bill. Always enjoyed our short visits before we bowled on Monday
nights. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Memories will keep Bill with all of us. Friends care.
Ray Spindler says
Doug, Theresa, Mark, Todd and the entire Olson Family,
Your Dad was a wonderful man who I enjoyed knowing over the years. He was such a great mentor and will be truly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with all of you thru this difficult time. May the memories that you have of him provide you with guidance and love. Our deepest sympathy in this time of mourning.
Ray Spindler and Renea Howard
Ken Dunham and Janelle Fallan says
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Bill meant a great deal to me, having following him as executive director at the Montana Contractors Association. He taught me a lot about the business end of contracting in those days and was always a welcome visitor at the office.