Bill, 90, died on January 13, 2019, in Kalispell, MT. He grew up in Missoula and joined the USFS in 1944 at age 16 and worked three seasons before joining the Army. Upon discharge, he worked as a smokejumper from 1947-52. Bill went to the University of Montana on the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in forestry in 1952 and rejoined the Army as a counter intelligence officer in D.C. until his discharge in 1955. After his discharge he completed his master's degree in forestry and went to work for Bob Helan Logging before joining the USFS in 1959.

Bill's 25-year career with the Forest Service included positions as District Ranger, Forest Supervisor and Director of Timber Management for the Northern Region.

Upon retirement, Bill lived in Flathead Lake and spent the last 20 years in Kalispell where his was a passionate hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman.