Bill’s valiant battle with cancer came to an end on March 14, 2023.
Born to Elmer (Curly) and Hazel (Hutchins) Wood on May 16, 1952, in Dillon, MT, Bill lived in Wisdom during his early years. After a short time living in the Anaconda area, he moved to Deer Lodge where he lived much of his life with his mom and stepdad, Frank Turner.
In 1973 Bill went to work for the Deer Lodge Police Department and served as Chief of Police from 1977 to 1992. He then worked at the State of Montana as an investigator for the Department of Justice and the Department of Labor until he retired in 2016. Bill also served as a reserve deputy for the Yellowstone and Powell County Sheriff’s Offices.
Bill married Jarita Barnett (Neckels) in 1974, and together they had two children, daughter Hilary and son Ben.
He married his wife Sheryl in 1995, and together they raised children Mathew and Stephanie, along with Ben and Hilary.
Bill loved everything about Montana’s outdoors and spent all the time he could enjoying its splendors through hunting, fishing, backpacking, ice fishing and snowmobiling. He had many amazing adventures with his friends since grade school, Mike Steber, Gary Newlon, Foster Walsted, and David Roberts. His other hobbies included ultrarunning with Amber Carpenter and Brandie Kittle and weightlifting with “Super Dave” Nolan.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Sheryl and four children, Hilary McCall (Tommy White) of Woodburn, IA; Ben (Stacey) Wood of Ferndale, WA; Mathew (Ewa) Adams of Wellington, NZ, and Stephanie (Brian) Ricks of East Helena, MT. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jace and Reagan Wood, Kylee McCall, and Brycen, Bridger, and Brielle Ricks.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, stepfather, brother Frank Thompson and granddaughter Teagan Ricks.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Deer Lodge Elks, 230 Main Street, Deer Lodge, MT.
A private family interment will take place immediately following at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday June 15, 2023
Deer Lodge Elks
230 Main Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday June 15, 2023
Deer Lodge Elks
230 Main Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
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Terry W Bass says
Very fine person and Police Officer. I had personal contact with him over several years. Rest in Peace.
Dave Nolan says
Bill always thought that I was super Dave when it came to weightlifting however the truth was without his ability to motivate and lift just as hard and heavy I would have never succeeded. Bill is the best and will always be remembered!
Mark Woodward says
I remember crossing the street in front of Granville Stewart school and seeing Bill sitting in his police car every morning. I was 10 years old at the time and 11 years later Bill would become my boss on the Deer Lodge Police Department and a great friend! I learned a lot from Bill and Mike Grey, also my friends Don “Duck” Roberts, Pat George, Scott Howard and Gary Bender. Bill and I had a lot of adventures and a lot of great laughs. Bill loved to laugh! I will miss him greatly . Rest in peace my friend. Mark Woodward
Sherri Lynn Anderson says
I had the great honor of working with Bill at the Department of Labor for many years. He was a wonderful man and always a gentleman. It was great sadness that I read of his passing. I know he will be missed by many. Rest in peace Bill. It was my great honor to have known you and have worked with you.
Tom M Oberweiser says
Only learned of this today and was shocked and saddened by the news. I enjoyed working with Bill at MT Dept of Justice and have many good memories of those years. Will be keeping Bill, Sheryl and the family in prayer. God be good to ‘im.