William H. Talmage

HARDIN ? William H. Talmage, 85, of Hardin, passed away Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005, in the Beartooth Hospital in Red Lodge, following a short illness.

He was born Aug. 3, 1919, in Joliet, the first of three sons to Earl Chesterfield and Elva Lucy Duffield Talmage. He graduated from Joliet High School and later spent a year working for the Civilian Conservation Corps.

He returned to Joliet to work with his father, installing electrical wire in farmhouses in the Joliet area. He attended the Billings Polytechnic College, now Rocky Mountain College, studying Electrical Engineering from 1940-'41.

In June of 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and spent 15 months in Samoa. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to the States, where he met Margaret Eleanor James. The couple married on April 7, 1945, in San Francisco.

Bill, as he was known, worked for the Mountain Bell Company, until he retired as manager in 1981, with 34 years, 11 months in telephone work.

During his work history with Mountain Bell, he lived in Livingston, White Sulphur Springs, Forsyth and Hardin.

He attended the Hardin St. Thomas Episcopal Church, was a member of the Hardin Kiwanis Club, serving as Secretary and President, was life member of the White Sulphur Springs Diamond City #7 Masonic Lodge, Hardin Masonic Lodge #92, Royal Arch Mason Chapter #37, serving as High Priest and treasurer, and was a Past Worthy Patron of the Order of Eastern Star. He was Past Illustrious Master of Adoniram Council #8 in Billings, where he worked up to the position of Generalisom. He was also a member of the Aldemar #5 Knight Templar, Red Cross of Constantine, Al Bedoo Shrine, charter member of Hardin Elks Lodge #2213, American Legion Post #8, charter member of Gold Prospectors of America, Telephone Pioneers, Eugene Sara Detachment Marine Corps League of Billings, Big Horn Shrine Club and was a Hardin Volunteer Fireman, retiring after 20 years of service.

His parents and brother Chester preceded Bill in death.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor, of nearly 60 years; his son, William E. (Connie) Talmage of Washington; and his daughter, Mary (Jim) Marks of Red Lodge; a brother, Frank Talmage of Wyoming; his six grandchildren, Michael Talmage, Amy (Kyle) Beatty, David (Aleda) Talmage, Charlene (Tim) Reeder, Michelle (Jason) Brockman, Paul (Mandy) Marks; and two great-granddaughters.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. A lunch for family and friends will be held at the Hardin Masonic Temple, following the funeral services. Interment will be held 2 p.m. in the Joliet Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners' Transportation Fund or charity one's choice.