William 'Ben' Oliver

William 'Ben' Oliver

William "Ben" Oliver, 98, of Big Sandy, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at Northern Montana Care Center due to natural causes. Funeral services will be 10 a. m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at the Big Sandy United Methodist Church in Big Sandy with Pastor Ross Rettig officiating.

A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the service at the church. His entombment will be held at 2 p. m at the Hillcrest Lawn Mausoleum in Great Falls, Mont.

Memorials in Ben's name may be made to the Big Sandy United Methodist Church. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Ben was born April 16, 1913, in Howard, Kan., to Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Oliver. When he was a young boy, he moved with his family to Montana where they settled in Big Sandy. His parents started Oliver's Self Service Grocery in Big Sandy. Ben was a graduate of Big Sandy High School and attended Great Falls Commercial College. He was associated with his father in Oliver's Self Service Grocery. He married Pearl McLaughlin in 1952. That same year his father passed away. Ben and his wife, Pearl, took over the business. Together they operated the store until their retirement in 1975 when they sold it.

Ben was a member of the United Methodist Church and a life member of the Elks Lodge of Havre 1201. He loved fishing and gardening.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pearl, on Dec. 28, 1987; and his brother, Jack Oliver.

Ben was survived by his nieces Judy Oliver Sinclair and LeRoy Wenz of Havre, Mont., Janis and Graeme Monteith of Clagary, Alberta, Canada, and Bonnie and Dewey McDaniel of Great Falls, Mont. ; grandnephews, Jason and Jaxson Sinclair of Grand Junction, Colo. ; and grandnieces, Jacelyn and Johna Monteith of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.