William Joseph Potts

William Joseph Potts known as Billy Joe to his family passed away on July 18, 2021 at the Missouri River Medical Center in Fort Benton, Montana. The cause of death was pneumonia. He was born December 1, 1942 in Missoula, MT. His paternal grandmother Cornelia Potts attended his birth with Billy's mother Marian L. Potts and wrote to her husband that night that Billy was born with a full head of red hair. Billy's father, Bill Potts Jr. was in the Navy stationed in the Pacific at this time. Billy was the first baby born in the area after the USA entered the war with Japan. Billy and his mother then lived in Corvallis, MT when his dad was at war. He was baptized as a Catholic at St. Mary's Mission in Stevensville, MT using frozen holy water because there was no heat in the Mission. When Billy's dad came home from the war the family moved to Woodworth, MT where his dad worked for the Anaconda logging Company (ACM). He then moved with his baby sister and parents to a home in Missoula, MT where they had indoor plumbing and no black bears on the front porch. A younger brother Raymond Neal joined the family in Missoula. Billy attended grade school at St. Anthony's Catholic school and graduated from Loyola Jesuit high school in Missoula. He then attended the University of Montana in Missoula earning a BA in history and started his MA in history when he was drafted to serve in the US Army. He served in Vietnam for his tour of military duty. Upon returning to Missoula he completed his Master's in history at the U of M in Missoula. His first marriage to Claudia Mason ended in divorce but not until he helped to raise two step sons Greg and Brian Mason.
Billy worked for the Montana State Highway Department in the safety Division. He was involved in monitoring hazardous waste disposal and spills caused by train and truck wrecks and testifying about these events in the courts.
Billy married Judee Wargo and lived in Helena, MT until retiring to Carter, MT. He lost Judee to a heart attack when living in Carter. His own words were "she was the real thing". Living in Carter alone was too much for Billy so he first moved to a retirement home in Great Falls and then bought a home in Fort Benton where he was able to once again have a dog. As his health failed Billy moved to a retirement facility in Fort Benton.
Billy's wishes were to be cremated and his ashes be distributed near Tiber Dam in the Chester area where his beloved Judee's ashes are scattered.
Billy's hobbies were primarily fishing and photography. He pretended to hunt birds but his heart was not in it. He missed most shots.
He is survived by his sister Dr. Barbara J. Potts, sister-in-law's Anne Marie Potts and Joanne Miller, niece Erikka K. Nelson, nephew Marc A. Johnson and numerous cousins. He was predeceased by his younger brother Raymond Neal Potts who died at a young age in a work related accident, his parents Bill and Marian Potts and his wife Judee Wargo.
They say it takes a village to raise a child but it also takes a village to help a person age with grace, love and purpose. The wonderful folks of Carter and Fort Benton, MT deserve a special award for helping Billy spend his last 10 years of his life with such fulfillment.
Distribution of Billy's ashes is open to the public and will be organized by Benton Funeral Home (406-622-3621). Donations in Billy's memory may be made to the Golden Age Center in Fort Benton PO Box 1092 Fort Benton, MT 59442 to support their meal services.