William A. "Bill" Lawson

William A. "Bill" Lawson, 87, a resident of the Flathead Valley for 55 years, died of natural causes on Dec. 7, 2009, at Heritage Place in Kalispell. Bill was born June 23, 1922, in Roundup to Howard and Isabelle (Isaacson) Lawson.

Bill moved to Pullman, Wash., and on to Spokane, before settling in Columbia Falls in 1954. He married Mildred E. Seymour in 1941 and they lived in Spokane while Bill worked for Kaiser Aluminum. They had a daughter Becky, who was a baby when Bill joined the Navy in WWII. He attended Basic Training at Farragut Naval Base in Idaho, then transferred to San Diego to serve on the USS Salt Lake City, a heavy cruiser. As a Seaman First Class, he fought throughout the South Pacific, including firing on Iwo Jima, providing island bombardment and later watching the now famous flag rising on Mount Suribachi, from the deck of the USS Salt Lake City.

Upon returning from WWII, he resumed work at Kaiser Aluminum until he moved to Columbia Falls to work at Anaconda Aluminum Company. He remained on the potlines as a supervisor until retiring in 1983.

Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, motorcycling, bowling and collecting antiquities. He spent many enjoyable hours camping, hunting and fishing up the North Fork and on Hungry Horse Reservoir. He was a life-long member of the NRA. At his retirement home on Ashley Lake, Bill spent his time plowing snow for many neighbors, pulling people out of snow banks, and supplying assorted plumbing and electrical parts to neighbors in need. He spent countless hours checking on friends and neighbors cabins while they were absent. He loved getting firewood, and it was not uncommon for him to haul, split and stack eight to 12 cords for the winter every year. In later years, he was never without the companionship of his beloved Schnauzer, Heidi.

He is survived by his daughter, Becky Wilson and husband, Ty of Columbia Falls; grandchildren, Rick Wilson of Columbia Falls, Kri Boardman and husband Mark of Kalispell. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mildred, his parents, two sisters, and a brother.

Cremation has taken place, and by Bill's wishes no services are scheduled. Memorials may be sent to the Heritage Place, Alzheimer's/Dementia Ward, 171 Heritage Way, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Bill's family. Go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Bill's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.