James William Kearns, Jr. (Bill) passed away Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Bozeman, Montana where he had lived for the last couple of years.
A third generation Broadwater County resident, Bill was a community activist, philanthropist and lover of fun and social gatherings.
He was born to James William Kearns, Sr. and Ossia Taylor Kearns November 1, 1938 in the Broadwater Hospital in Townsend. He and his younger brother David attended local schools. He graduated from Broadwater County High School in 1956 to enlist in the U.S. Army Reserve. He trained at Ft. Ord, California and Ft. Kenard Wood, Missouri. He attained the rank of lieutenant after ten years in the Reserve.
Bill and Anita Haniuk of Helena were married at St. Helena Cathedral on January 27, 1968 in a blinding blizzard. They were together through 53 years of marriage when Anita passed away on January 15, 2021. They raised two children, Mary Lynn and James Thomas(Jamie.)
Bill’s grandfather, Wisconsin native J.P. Kearns, had moved to Townsend from Dubuque, Iowa to help launch the State Bank of Townsend on June 1, 1899. The bank stood the test of time through the 1920’s 30’s during the Depression because of its conservative philosophy.
Bill graduated from the University of Montana in 1961 with a degree in business administration finance and went to work at the bank as assistant cashier. He learned the banking business from the teller’s window on up. He became president and board chairman in 1987.
In a 1999 Townsend Star article celebrating the bank’s 100thanniversary, editor Jeff Stoffer wrote that Bill realized the importance of modernizing the bank. He instituted a larger loan operation, installment lending, computerizing of accounts and such amenities as a drive-up window. Bill said that when he joined the bank there were still spittoons in the lobby.
Bill inherited his spirit of community activism. His grandfather J.P. Kearns started the bank with J.P.’s uncle W.E. Tierney. Tierney also started the W.E. Tierney Co., later the Townsend Mercantile and the hotel, the Townsend House. From those men Bill learned the importance of supporting local business activity to sustain a thriving community. He worked hard to help revitalize what is now Heritage Park to include a swimming pool and he promoted paving Townsend’s streets.
The Canyon Ferry Reservoir filled 1954. When the lake partially emptied each winter, Townsend was overtaken by huge clouds of dust on windy days which led to allergies and lung problems among residents. Bill led a group to establish the Canyon Ferry Development Project for dust control.
In the mid-2000’s rural hospitals struggled to stay open. Broadwater Health Center was no different. It closed in 2012: its nursing home residents moved to other facilities. Thanks to Bill Kearns, the State Bank of Townsend and a countywide “Good Stuff” yard sale organized by county residents, the hospital was saved. At a memorable town hall meeting, a hospital board member stood up and said, “We’re throwing in the towel. We missed a payroll payment.” Bill responded, “No! I pledge $100,000. The State Bank will help too.” The bank did help with a $300,000 loan. The hospital was soon back in business and nursing home residents were back as well. Bill called that the biggest thrill of his community activism. “Today we have a modern, strong hospital serving the community. I shudder to think what would have happened to our little town had the hospital closed for good.”
Bill helped organize and was active in many other county organizations including Broadwater Jaycees, Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce, Broadwater County Red Cross, Townsend Senior Housing Association, Broadwater Community Foundation, Broadwater Historical Society, Old Baldy Recreation Association, Holy Cross Catholic Church and Townsend Rotary Club. He also served on the Canton Church Restoration Board and the Broadwater Community Development Corporation Board.
Bill’s state organization activities included Montana Bankers Association, Montana Teachers Retirement System, Montana Board of Investments, Helena Catholic Diocese, University of Montana Alumni Association and the American Banking Association Community Banking Council.
Bill was forever raising money for all manner of causes. His opening line to a prospective donor was “I’ll give $100. What will you give?” It was hard to turn him down.
Bill and Anita took crazy parts and acted them out with aplomb. They built wonderful friendships during their times in the Broadwater Military Affairs Committee which they formed with Troy and Shirley Helmick.
Bill took an interest in politics when he ran for State Legislature. His opponent, a well-known, experienced politician, Joy Nash, was the wife of Townsend’s Dr. Frank Nash. She and Dr. Nash were good friends of the Kearns as well. Mrs. Nash easily won the race against the younger Kearns, Her slogan was “Don’t vote for the boy, vote for Joy.” That ended Bill’s political aspirations.
When Bill and Anita’s children were grown and gone, Bill continued to work through Townsend Elementary School to mentor boys who needed help. He said he loved working with the kids seeing them have an easier time getting through school and hopefully through life.
Bill and Anita loved raising roses in their garden. They loved to travel too. They cruised to Russia and Europe. They enjoyed the wonders of Turkey, Greece, New Zealand and the Caribbean Islands. They felt right at home in Ireland the Ukraine, homes of their ancestors. They visited every state in the Union and enjoyed winters at Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
In June of 2023 Bill moved to Bozeman and resided at The Springs Assisted Living. He spent his time there attending live music performances, playing poker and bingo,seeing films that were show on the on site theatre and spending time laughing and joking with friends he made there and the wonderful staff, who were like family.
Bill loved people, beginning with is wonderful family who remember his kindness, laughter and generosity. Survivors include daughter Mary(Bill) Hickey of Bozeman and son Jamie(Kaye) of Hayden, Idaho; grandchildren Sarah Hickey, Molly Ann Hickey, Sean Hickey, James David ( Annika) Kearns, Lydia Ann Kearns and great grandson James Sawyer Kearns
Bill is also survived by his brother David of Townsend, sister-in-law Donna Wise of Helena MT, Lynn Haniuk, Bozeman MT Theresa, Las Vegas Nevada, Gail Kennedy(Bruce) Calgary, Alberta Canada, Caryn Scow of Helena and brother-in-law Marc Haniuk(Trisha) of Ellensburg, Washington.
Thank you to Stillwater hospice for the loving care they gave to Bill the last few months.
Memorial services will be held later this summer. Memorials in his name may be made to charities of donors choice.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Steve Sautter says
Townsend has lost one of its greatest citizens and he will be greatly missed. Bill was one of the most optimistic people I have ever known. To Bill’s children and their families and his brother Dave, we offer our condolences and hopes for solace in the coming days.
Terry and Laura McArdle says
Nobody ever worked more dilligently than Bill toward the betterment of Townsend. Laura and I have always been proud to have him as a friend ever since we first met him in May, 1979. Not only did Bill love Townsend, he loved to have fun and was very good at it, We will miss you, Bill.. Rest in peace , old friend.
Margaret Erickson says
I have so many fond memories f Bill and the Bank. On our honeymoon Frank took me to the bank and put me on his checking account. That was Feb. of 1958. aI remained a customer of that bank until I moved to Maaryland in 2002. They had a fine reputation. Anythink you needed Bill, aMary Alice or Lorraine would handle it. I have missed the Townsend community & Bill and the State Bank of Townsend are a huge part of that community. Rest in Peace Bill.My Best Wishes to your family and God Bless.
JoAnn Price says
Bill went to school with my brother, they always stayed friends,.Bill took the time to visit him when he was in an assisted living in Utah. They were always laughing and joking with each other. I mentored at the school with Bill, his mentoring didn’t end at the end of school year, he kept in touch , they knew he cared and were his young friends. We can’t look at our hospital without thinking of all Bills efforts in keeping it open, felt he should have been able to stay without paying after all he had done, but things don’t work that way. Our community is very blessed in so many ways because of his loving heart,. Thank you Bill