Stephen Alston Wilson, 79

Stephen Alston Wilson, beloved husband, father and “Gramps,” passed away peacefully at his home in Kalispell on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, with his loving wife and children at his side.

He was born on Sept. 7, 1937, in El Paso, Texas, to Mildred and Howard C. Wilson, and was the youngest of four children.

When Steve was 4 years old, his family moved from Texas to Salmon, Idaho, and then to a small mountain ranch on the Salmon River near Shoup. He attended high school in Spokane, Washington, and graduated from Spokane High School in 1955. Soon after starting college at the University of Idaho in Moscow, he received his draft notice and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served honorably for four years. After leaving the service, Steve settled in Great Falls where he began what would become a lifetime of successful entrepreneurial ventures in business, agriculture, real estate, and property management.

It was in Great Falls that he met and married his soul mate for life, Cheryl Anne Fisher. They were married on April 4, 1965, and together they raised three children, and were blessed with 52 wonderful years of marriage. The family moved from Great Falls to Fort Shaw in 1973, to the Gallatin Valley in 1978, and then to Kalispell in 1990. In addition to his business interests, Steve was active in many professional and civic organizations in Great Falls, Bozeman and Kalispell, including the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, Optimist Club, Elks, Masonic Order, Scottish Rite, and Algeria Shrine. He served on several Presbyterian and Lutheran church councils, and participated in the Stephen Ministry.

A man of great determination, wisdom and integrity, Steve’s legacy of love, faith, service and devotion to his family will be passed on for generations. He cherished his children and grandchildren, and one of his greatest pleasures was the joy of family gatherings. Steve will be remembered for his strength of character, generosity and tremendous work ethic; and for always giving “The Old Boy Upstairs” the credit for his many blessings. He loved the Lord, his family and his country … and had a great appreciation for a fine mule, and a good bottle of Scotch.

Steve is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter Janey and her husband Dan Salomon of Ronan and their daughters, Christa (Mike) Schallock, Kelsey (Alan) Skogen and Katie (Trenton) Harding; daughter Jody Beth and her husband Mike White of Kalispell and their children, Michael (Stacey), Marcy, Mitchell (Julia), Monte and Monica; son Jeff and his wife Lauri of Kalispell and their children McKenna, Greg and Georgia; 10 great-grandchildren; his sister, Jane and her husband Ray Beasley of Helena; his parents-in-law Lowell and Mary Fisher of Mesa, Arizona; and a host of treasured nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Howard, and sister, Bernice.

At Steve’s request, there will be no formal service. He asked that family and friends gather and have a party to celebrate his life. The details for this will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s honor may be made to charities that benefit the people and critters of the Flathead Valley.

To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.