William "Bill" Gaffke

1938 - 2025

William "Bill" Gaffke, age 86, passed away February 4, 2025, due to complications from a fall.

Bill was born June 19, 1938, in Bozeman, MT, to William and Florence Gaffke. Bill grew up on the local family ranch and spent the early part of his life in the Gallatin Valley with his brothers and sisters, Kay, Mike, Tony, Harold, and Patty, who have all preceded him in death. Bill graduated from Holy Rosary High School and volunteered for the army. Bill's short service in the army took him to New York where he met his wife, Wilma Jewett. Bill and Wilma moved to Great Falls after his service in the army, and he started his lifelong career as a salesman selling Coca Cola by the case. Bill had five children, Laurie, Mike, Kathy, Valerie, and Tony, and moved his family back to Bozeman as soon as he could. Bill and Wilma divorced in 1981, and he remarried in 1985 to Corrine Cardelli, and they later divorced.

Once back in Bozeman, Bill took up being a car salesman. He settled into a career with J.C. Billion where he was the top salesman for 40 plus years, only recently retiring. He sold cars to generations of people in the valley. Bill loved the people he worked with, and his customers. Bill was well known in the valley for his famous sales pitch, "Buy a Car", which was a command and not a request.

Bill had a passion for sports, especially basketball, baseball, and football. He was especially supportive of the MSU Bobcats and the local high school teams. One of the few things that would get Bill to leave the valley was attending Notre Dame football games with his friend, Ed Brandt. He went so far as to go to Ireland to watch The Fighting Irish play. Bill also loved to fish and would take his grandchildren to local fishing spots in the valley to catch trout. Specific locations of his fishing spots cannot be disclosed.

Bill was preceded in death by his three daughters, Laurie Gaffke, Kathy Blaisdell, and Valerie Boylan. He is survived by his sons, Mike (Shelly) Gaffke, of Bozeman, and Tony (Joy) Gaffke, of Billings. Also surviving Bill are his 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will be Celebrating Bill's Life in the Spring at the family ranch. He never would let us do anything for his birthday, so that's when we're having it.

In lieu of flowers or a memorial contribution, "Buy a Car" at J.C. Billion. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.