Roy W. "Bill" McCaffree
Roy W. "Bill" McCaffree, 90, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at Good Samaritan Mountain View Manor in Eureka.
Bill was born on March 18, 1919, in Starr Mine to Roy and Verda McCaffree. He was the oldest of seven children.
He was raised in Musselshell, where he graduated from high school. On Sept. 7, 1943, he married Virginia Hansen in Roundup. Bill and Virginia moved to Fort Riley, Kan., where Bill was stationed with the Army Cavalry as a Technical Sergeant during World War II. He earned an expert rifleman status and broke and trained horses to be used by the military for packing. After Bill's honorable discharge in 1945, they returned to Musselshell where they ranched and raised six children for 33 years.
During his years on the ranch, he raised sheep, cattle and quarter horses, and enjoyed guiding for an outfitter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness for a few years in the fall. He served on the school boards in Musselshell and Roundup School Districts. He also served as a County Commissioner in Musselshell County for nine years.
In 1985, Bill and Virginia retired to Townsend where they lived for 20 years. Here he enjoyed raising horses, hunting and fishing. In August 2004, they moved to Columbia Falls, where he spent much of his time gardening and sharing the fruits of his labor with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching baseball, horse racing and Professional Bull Riders.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Virginia in 2006; brothers Clyde and Glen; and sister Agnes.
He is survived by brothers Ed McCaffree of East Helena and Dan McCaffree of Roundup and sister Doris Wertman of Billings. Bill is also survived by sons Ernie (Wendy) McCaffree of Columbia Falls, Marlin (Sue) McCaffree of Shepherd, daughters Mona (Darwin) Parker of Hot Springs, Karen (Bob) Smith of Eureka, Dianna Ammerman of Anchorage, Alaska and Lee (Billy) Smith of Humble, Texas. Also surviving are grandchildren Lane (Emily) McCaffree and Shane McCaffree of Columbia Falls, Olivia (Karl) Hennell of Kalispell, Kelly Parker of Hot Springs, Jim (Jacque) Boyd, of Richland, Wash., Kari (Jared) Peak of Boise, Idaho, Billy (Sabrina) Smith in Texas, Steve and Stacy Ammerman in Alaska, Justin (Rachel) McCaffree of San Diego, Calif., and Quentin (Robin) McCaffree of Billings. He also has five great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls. A dinner reception will follow at Bill's home, 1600 Riparian Drive, Columbia Falls.
Memorials may be made to "Friends of Musselshell School", Musselshell, MT 59059.