Obituary - Eddie Whitford

Eddie Whitford, 85, passed away at his residence surrounded by his family on Tuesday, July 10, 2018.

Wake services began at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, and will continue until his funeral service, which was at 10:00 a.m. today, Thursday, July 12, 2018, all at the New Senior Center. Burial will follow in the Rocky Boy Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Eddie’s online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Eddie was born on April 10, 1933, in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada, to James and Mamie (Mechance) Whitford. He lived in Canada during the first few years of his life, and while he was still young, the family moved to the United States. In 1958, Eddie married Pearl Raining Bird in Parker Canyon, and the couple had eight children. For many years, Eddie worked as a landscaper all over Montana and into North Dakota, but he spent 18 years in Great Falls beautifying the area. He retired to Rocky Boy in 1970 and spent the next 38 years with his wife Pearl and their children and grandchildren.

Eddie was a kind, loving man who loved to tease his children and spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching wrestling, and playing the machines and bingo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mamie Whitford; grandchildren Cailyn Stump and Justin Whitford; sisters, Elsie Big Bow and Josephine Cody; and brothers Manny, Joseph, and Gordon Whitford.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Pearl Whitford of Rocky Boy; children Faye Whitford, Gordon (Lisa) Whitford, Ted (Jewel) Whitford, Arthur (Elizabeth) Whitford, Carrie Baker, Mervin (Renita) Whitford, Harry (Melody) Whitford, and Edwina Whitford, all of Rocky Boy; 23 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild with two on the way; brother Lawrence Whitford of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends.