James “Jim” Piearson Wilson, 80 passed away April 28, 2013 at St. Peters Hospital in Helena, MT surrounded by his entire immediate family after suffering a stroke on April 26, 2013 while working in his yard in Townsend, MT.
Jim was born in Big Timber, MT on February 3, 1933. Jim was the second of five children born to James Piearson and Mary (Frelich) Wilson. James, Sr. immigrated to America from England as a young man and Mary was a first generation American born to Austrian immigrants.
Jim was raised on the family ranch homesteaded by his father on the West Boulder River located on the north slopes of the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range. Jim learned the importance of hard work while helping his family run the ranch. Jim attended a small one room elementary school located near present day McLeod, MT. Jim graduated from Park County High School in Livingston, MT made difficult by having to travel 15 miles over primitive roads to school.
Jim entered the U.S. Army following completion of high school and was trained as a helicopter mechanic. Jim finished his tour stationed in Italy, where he utilized his time off to travel to England and meet and visit relatives. Following completion of his tour of duty and honorable discharge, Jim returned to Montana and began farming with his dad on the newly acquired family farm located in the Paradise Valley south of Livingston.
Jim met the love of his life, Martha Jean Weber from Wilsall, MT in Livingston and they were married on June 4, 1961 in Wilsall, MT. Jim and Martha began their 51 plus years of marriage living on the farm in Paradise Valley. In 1967, Jim and Martha moved their family to Townsend, MT where Jim began a career at Strong & Bradley selling John Deere farm machinery. Jim traveled to many locations in the Townsend, Helena, White Sulphur Springs area meeting all the ranchers and farmers, many of which became friends.
Jim and his older brother Joe started a construction company; Wilson Utilities in the mid 1970’s and began installing highway drainage, water and sewer utilities in localities located throughout Montana. Jim had a love for building and continued in the construction industry right up until his death building small projects located in the Townsend area. Jim used his love of building to begin building Norwegian Tine “Tee-nah” wooden lidded boxes which he built for the important people in his life and sold in the local area. The Tines that he built showed his ability to use his hands, his creativity and more importantly his incredible patience that was a big part of his character and how he carried himself through life.
Jim learned how to golf in his 50’s and began a love for the game. Jim enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends and spent many years as a board member of the Old Baldy Golf Association. Jim spent countless hours on the golf course volunteering his time to plant trees and make improvements to the course. Jim enjoyed the annual Quint-C hunting camp located on Crow Creek near Radersburg, MT where Jim and his many friends played golf in the sage brush and ate the finest camp food around while never bothering to bring a rifle.
Jim spent his entire life giving to his family and community. Jim was a 20 plus year member of the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department and the Broadwater County Lions Club where he and Martha sold thousands of corn dogs over the years at the Broadwater County Fair and Rodeo. Jim was a humble and caring man whose legacy will be passed on through the many lives that he touched.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Joseph Wilson.
Jim is survived by his wife, Martha, Townsend, son Gary, Helena and his wife Ralene and children Jodi, Janelle, and Jamie, daughter Pamela Watson, Townsend and her husband Clint and children Shane, Emily, and Meagan, daughter Tamara Kauffman, Montana City and her husband Dave and children Chris and Tyler, sister Molly Hancock, Livingston, sister Sandy Johnston, Livingston, brother Windsor, McLeod, MT, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 2nd at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home; 212 Broadway, Townsend, Mt. A Funeral Service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church, 20 Trailhead View Drive; Burial will follow the funeral service at Deep Creek Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow the burial at the Townsend United Methodist Church, 200 N. Cedar Street, Townsend, Mt. Memorials in Jim’s name are suggested to the Broadwater Lion’s Club, 308 S. Cherry St, Townsend, MT 59644 or the Old Baldy Golf course, Delger Lane, Townsend, Montana 59644.
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 am to 11:00 a.m.
Thursday May 2, 2013
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
212 Broadway
Townsend, MT 59644
Funeral Service
1:00pm
Thursday May 2, 2013
Trailhead Christian Fellowship
20 Trailhead View Drive
Townsend, MT 59644
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday May 2, 2013
The United Methodist Church
200 N. Cedar Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 am to 11:00 a.m.
Thursday May 2, 2013
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
212 Broadway
Townsend, MT 59644
Funeral Service
1:00pm
Thursday May 2, 2013
Trailhead Christian Fellowship
20 Trailhead View Drive
Townsend, MT 59644
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday May 2, 2013
The United Methodist Church
200 N. Cedar Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
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John Weber says
Marjean, Gary, Pam and Tammy, i share in your grief over losing your husband and father. It isn’t easy when this happens, but know you are in our thoughts. I would love to be there thursday but cant be due to work that night. Marjean, i send you hugs. Gary-Pam and Tammy, while your mom is a strong lady, she wil need all three of you more than ever now. And i can see your dad and mine in heaven, batting golf balls already. Bless you all, my heart and thoughts are forever with you all.
Brenda Miller says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, we loved Jim just like everyone else that knew him! He leaves us all with a great example of how to live and love life to the fullest.
Charmon Graveley-Hansen says
Martha and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all as you grieve such a wonderful man as Jim. I had the great privilege to get to know Jim and Martha better while bowling on there team 25+ years ago, those were sure some fun evenings. I think that Jim had fun teaching us young kids something. He will be missed at the corn dog stand on rodeo weekend for sure. God Bless.
Judy (Cole) Wick says
My deepest sympathy to you, Aunt Martha Jean, Gary and family, Pam and family and Tammy and family. Uncle Jim was my favorite uncle and I have such fond memories of him. He was the kindest, most patient man and so much fun to be with. I remember the time my sister, Jill and I went to stay with Jim and Marjean one summer on their farm outside of Livingston. We ‘city girls’ had so much fun ‘helping’ Uncle Jim irrigate; he let Jill drive the jeep on a hill, we were on a slant and it was kind of scary but very fun, she ran over a small tree and we laughed and laughed! Uncle Jim would sit with us on the couch and go through the Sears catalog discussing fashion, the things we liked and didn’t like. Everything we did with him was fun! He took us to a drive-in movie, I think it was ‘State Fair’, got us candy and popcorn and of course one of us spilled the pop in the back seat – I don’t recall him ever getting angry with us. I remember doing the Bunny Hop with him at Pam and Clint’s wedding. I remember all the jokes and stories he told. I loved him so much and will miss him dearly. I can only imagine the kind of father and grandfather he was, since he was such a great uncle! It was always fun, fun, fun, to be with the Wilsons! My heart goes out to all of you at this sad time. Wish I could be with you to celebrate his life but you will all be on my mind and in my prayers tomorrow and always. Stay close to each other, lean on each other and love each other as you always have. God bless you all. Love, Judy
Darcy and Kim Perry says
Jim and Martha were two pillars in the great community of Townsend. They seemed to be at most every event in town and were two of the most cheerful and welcoming people you could ever hope to meet !. They never failed to greet you ,laughing and ready with a hug! There will be a gaping hole left there in the absence of Jim..Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Wilson family and those that loved him.He will be greatly missed!
Sending our love,
Darcy and Kim Perry
Amanda and Jim Domino says
Dear Martha and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. We will always remember Jim as such a kind and soft-hearted person. Peace be with you. Take good care, Jim and Amanda Domino
Roger Green says
I never had the opportunity to meet Jim’s family, but his love for you was obvious from the converstions that I had with him. I met Jim at hunting camp years ago and he visited my cabin outside Spokane with the Straw Hat Classic group. He was such a sweet man and I loved hearing the stories of his life experiences. He never spoke poorly of anyone and always seemed to find the good in others. He made me a “Tine” wooden box, which my wife and I love, and will now treasure more than ever. It was a privilage to have known him and my thoughts and prayers are with you for your loss.
Roger Green
Jill Clodfelter says
Dearest Aunt Marjean, Gary, Pam, Tammy and all your families. I am so saddened to hear about your loss. What a wonderful man Jim Wilson was! He was my favorite uncle and so easily loved! I read Judy’s note and she talked about when the two of us had the priviledge of staying with Aunt Marjean and Uncle Jim at the ranch. Oh my, we had a good time! Learned how to drive a tractor and drive the jeep (off the road into the ditch and hit a fence post)! He didn’t scream he just had that sweet smile of his on his face! Over the years he always had a way with a joke and always a smile! We had some fun times with Uncle Jim and Marjean and I will never forget his kindness and easy ways. I am sorry I cannot be there but I send love and prayers to all of you!
Brad & Erin Cobban says
Dearest Martha, so sorry about Jims passing. Take comfort in knowing he is in a better place and not suffering. We will never EVER forget Jim rounding up an old willow branch and dubbing Brad the WIZARD OF WINSTON! He had been reading Harry Potter. We still laugh so hard it brings tears to our eyes. Let us know if you need anything. Jim will truly be missed.