William D. McFarland Jr.

William D. McFarland Jr.

Dr. William Daniel McFarland Jr., 77, of Fort Benton, Mont., passed away Friday, March 8, 2013, due to an extended illness.

Bill was born on June 28, 1935, to William Daniel McFarland and Irene Adele (Johnson) McFarland in Great Falls, Mont. Bill graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1953, was an undergraduate at Northern Montana College in Havre, in 1958, and received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Washington State University in 1962. Following school, Bill spent a year as a resident clinician at the University of Minnesota. He moved back to Montana in 1963; he married Denise Verbrugghen McFarland on June 9, 1963, and spent a year practicing veterinary medicine, in Livingston, before opening the Benton Veterinary Clinic in 1964. Bill spent 40 years providing veterinary care here before retiring in 2004. He was the Montana delegate to the American Veterinary Association for eight years and received the Montana Veterinarian Medical Association president's award in 2005. He was very involved and passionate about the veterinary field.

In his free time, Bill enjoyed being with his family and grandchildren and being involved in their activities. He would also visit local farmers and ranchers and helped them with their animals. He cared deeply for people's families and their histories. He also loved hunting and fishing. He was a prolific reader and academic about all veterinary things. He also loved his Bible study.

Bill was an active member of AVMA, MVMA, Toastmasters, Kiwanis, Community Bible Church and was the treasurer of the Great Falls Chapter of Gideons.

Bill is survived by his wife, Denise Verbrugghen McFarland; children, Dr. Warner (Amy) McFarland, Dr. Garret (Tammie) McFarland, and Kyla L. Morton; brother, Ron McFarland; sister, Elinor Carver; and grandchildren, Adam McFarland, Catie McFarland, William McFarland, Ben McFarland, Anne-Marie McFarland, Bailey Morton, Kellyn Morton and Olivia Morton.

William D. McFarland Jr.

Bill was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Nicole McFarland.

Visitation will be from 10 to 10:40 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2013, at Community Bible Church; 1600 Main St., Fort Benton. A funeral service will begin at 10:55 at the church. A reception will follow the funeral service at the Community Bible Youth Center. Because of Bill's involvement with the Youth Center, Bill's family would appreciate memorials be made to the Community Bible Youth Center; 1600 Main St., Fort Benton, MT 59442. Please visit http://www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences or to share a memory of Bill.