James E. Weaver

James E. Weaver, 89, passed away

peacefully at his home on July 4, 2011.

Jim was born in Choteau and spent his

younger years in Billings, where he graduated from Billings Senior

High School in 1939. After being drafted into the U.S. Infantry, he

served as a 2nd Lt. in the Pacific Theatre for three years during

World War II. 

Jim returned from the war and completed

his college training at MSU in Bozeman, graduating with honors in

mechanical engineering. Jim did contract engineering in the

aircraft industry, followed by 33 years with the Exxon Oil Company

at the refineries in Billings, Marsa El Brega, Libya, and Kingston,

Jamaica. He served most of his engineering career as a supervisor,

manager, trainer and teacher, and inspector.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He loved

to ski, hunt, fish and go boating. He taught his children to love

the great outdoors, and particularly enjoyed fishing in the

Beartooth Mountains and hunting waterfowl along the Yellowstone

River. He spent countless hours pulling his children and their

friends water skiing around Whitefish Lake.

He also had a strong love for music

throughout his life, and very much enjoyed playing trombone during

the home concerts his wife, children and grandchildren would

perform each year on Christmas Eve.

Jim loved building, whether it was

airplane models, remote controlled boats, or residential homes. He

built his family home in Billings, and he helped several other

friends build their homes as well. His most treasured building

project is the relationship that was built with his Lord and

Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his mother

and father, Marguerite and Elmer Weaver; his sister, Jeannine

Partin; and his brother, Jack Weaver. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Dorothy;

son, Robert and spouse Cindy Weaver of Whitefish; grandson,

Jonathan and spouse Emily Weaver; great-granddaughters, McKenna and

Clara Jo of Helena; grandson, Tyler Weaver of Girdwood, Alaska;

granddaughters, Hannah and Rebekah Weaver of Whitefish. Son,

Michael and spouse Jacqueline Weaver of Los Alamos, N.M.; grandson,

Jonmichael Weaver and granddaughter, Amelia Weaver of Los Alamos;

granddaughter, Kristiana and spouse Caleb Goble of Savannah, Ga.;

great-grandsons, Gage and Boaz of Savannah; granddaughter, Hosanna

Duran of Virginia; great-grandson, Justice of Virginia and many

nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life service for Jim

was held at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish July 12.

The family suggests memorial

contributions in Jim’s name to charity. Friends are encouraged to

visit the website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of

support and condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home

and Crematory cared for the family.