William Lewis Montgomery passed to his rest on December 15, 2016. Bill was born on March 7, 1931 to George and Helen Montgomery in Tacoma, Washington and moved with his family to Great Falls at the age of nine. He attended Great Falls’ schools and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1950. During his high school years, he was a member of the Air National Guard and was taken into the Air Force at the onset of the Korean War where he served for three years.
Upon discharge, he returned to Great Falls where he attended carpentry school and worked there for several years as a carpenter. Bill moved to Missoula in 1959 where he continued to work in carpentry and roofing.
He married Barbara Schulting Kemper and they were later divorced. In 1984, he and Audrey Campbell were married. They lived and worked in Missoula until 1994. They then moved to Auburn, Washington where they attended Bible worker school for one year. They returned to Montana where Bill worked as a stipend pastor in Miles City, Glendive and Bell Tower Seventh Day Adventist churches for six years. He and his wife, Audrey have lived in Townsend since 2001.
Survivors include his wife, Audrey of Townsend; daughters, Robin (Mike) Buckingham of Rapid City, South Dakota, Melody (Paul) Nelson of Lead South Dakota; Step Daughters, Tonni (Mike) Brinde of Independence, Missouri, Jerri (John) Witherspoon of Forks, Washington; six granddaughters, five grandsons, seven great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, George, Richard and Ronald Montgomery.
Bill loved life, his family and the Lord and was an active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church for 61 years.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
212 Broadway Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following Memorial Service
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
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Lucille Weis says
Dear Audrey, I am so sorry for the passing of your beloved husband, Bill.
I will never forget his kindness to me when I first moved to Missoula.
The times both of you invited me into your home and helped me feel at home
when so far from my home. There were the lively discussions not to mention
delicious food. It didn’t seem to matter where I met both of you in stores or in church
you still both radiated hospitality, kindness and love consistently.
I remember once meeting both of you in the Bible book store. We all chatted like
we were in your living room. Bill had an infectious smile and warm hearted way about him. It will never be forgotten. I am very sorry for your loss, Audrey. Praying that Christ will draw ever close to you in this time of sadness. Thankful there is the Blessed Hope that cheers the weary pilgrim on earth. I remember how Bill’s face would light up as he talked about the second coming. I remember the time you held meetings in your home. Though the air was frigid outside still His enthusiasm knew no bounds and warmed up the room.
May Jesus draw ever near until the clouds are rolled back as a scroll.
Even so Lord Jesus Come. Sending much love and care your way. Lucille.