WILLIAM LARSON obituary

BIG SANDY William G. “Bill” Larson, 93, died Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006, at Big Sandy Medical Center of natural causes.

His funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Big Sandy Community Church of God with Rev. Lon Larson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the church immediately after the graveside services. William was born on March 21, 1913, on the family farm in Kenilworth Township north and west of Big Sandy to Emelia and Christian Larson. Bill received his primary education at Lincoln School, just a mile from his family's homestead, and then attended Big Sandy High School, graduating in 1931. Bill attended two years of college studies at Montana State University in Bozeman before taking a job at Pratt and Englund's garage in Big Sandy. In 1942, Bill enlisted in the Army, taking his basic training at Fort Bragg. For the next three years, Bill was a member of the 66th Armored Regiment of the 2nd Armored Division (Hell on Wheels), saw action in North Africa, France, Normandy, Sicily, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Bill fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was a Purple Heart recipient. He was discharged in September of 1945 and returned home to Big Sandy. He married Ruby Foss on Nov. 25, 1945, in Kalispell. In the next years, after spending the first few winters in Kalispell, Ruby and Bill moved permanently to the farm in Big Sandy, where, over the next 60 years, they farmed, raised four children and were active in family, church and community. Bill had a deep and abiding love for his family, for his friends and for the land. He had a quiet wit and gentle ways. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Reynold and Morton; and sister, Celia Dodge. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Ruby Larson; daughter, Lana Larson and life partner Mike Rawlings of Farmington N. M.; sons, Lon (Margaret) of Minneapolis, Chris (Laurel Ann) of Big Sandy and Cut Bank and Curtis and life partner James Kottke of Phoenix Ariz.; daughter- in-law, Lorrie Larson of Phoenix Ariz.; sisters, Luella Hjelm and Dorothy Hunter, both of Great Falls; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions in William's honor may be made to the Big Sandy Medical Center. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home