Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1942
DIED
2021
Barry McWilliams Obituary
Barry Wayne McWilliams
America's 'best known, least famous' cartoonist Barry Wayne McWilliams passed away on August 14, 2021, at his home outside Whitehall, Montana. He was 79 years old.
Barry was born on Feb. 17, 1942, in North Hollywood, California, to Leigh and Irene (Hewitt) McWilliams.
Barry began drawing his weekly editorial cartoon, J.P. Doodles, for the Madisonian, a small weekly paper in Virginia, Montana for free. Eventually, he cartooned from four continents for more than 1,500 small town weekly newspapers and visited hundreds of elementary schools teaching thousands of kids to draw.
Barry was an adventurer who hitchhiked around Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War to interview soldiers, and helped mastermind America's biggest cattle drive in over a hundred years, from Roundup to Billings.
A full obituary describing these and other adventures is available at http://www.barryscartoons.com.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents Leigh and Irene McWilliams; his sister Maureen (Charles) Byrne and baby sister Cheryl McWilliams who died during infancy; his half-brother Leigh (Milly) McWilliams Jr. and half-sister Eleanor (Bob) Sowers; as well as numerous other relatives he kept in contact with on and off throughout the years. He is survived by his children, Colin (Cynthia) McWilliams, Summer (Michael) Marston, Ethan (Megan) McWilliams, and Noah (Jessica) McWilliams; his eight grandchildren, Kirby, Catherine, Amelia, River, Grant, Matilda, Garrett, and Charlotte; as well as the incredible ladies he married (not all at the same time) and mothers to his kids, Catharine (Courter) Dombrovske, Nancy (Smith) Tarnai, and Mary Ellen Doty.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021, from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Whitehall Community Center, 11 N. Division Street, Whitehall MT 59759. The public is welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to 4 Paws Rescue, PO Box 13, Cardwell MT 59721. Memories, anecdotes, etc. are encouraged and can be shared with his kids by emailing [email protected].
Memories and Condolences
for Barry McWilliams
1 Entry
Whitehall Medical Clinic
October 17, 2021
The Providers and Staff at Whitehall Medical Clinic would like to extend condolences to Barry´s family and friends. May your wonderful memories help bring your comfort and peace. It´s such a blessing that we are still able to enjoy his cartoons in the Whitehall Ledger! He was a very talented man! He will truly be missed!
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results
Make a Donation
in Barry McWilliams's name
Memorial Events
for Barry McWilliams
How to support Barry's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Barry McWilliams's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
