Willard W. Wilson

Willard Woodrow Wilson, 87, of Billings, passed away peacefully Oct. 12, 2008, with his five children and loving wife by his side. He was born Dec. 7, 1920, in Ballantine, the third of four sons born to Inez Hill Wilson and William Henry Wilson.

In his early childhood, his family relocated to the Lodge Grass area to begin farming and ranching on Lodge Grass Creek. While in high school, he was a member and captain of four championship basketball teams. Following high school, Willard began ranching and farming and was recognized for some notable firsts, such as aerial crop spraying and the introduction of Black Angus cattle to Big Horn County. He later purchased a ranch north of Custer. He was an entrepreneur who owned and operated an implement business in Hardin, built and managed apartment complexes in Billings, owned a commercial building maintenance business, built and operated a feed lot in Shepard and was involved in real estate in the Billings area. He was a hard worker who passed on a great work ethic to his children. He saw that all of them graduated from college. His five children, 13 grandchildren and wife Barbara Marie Beirdneau were his greatest joy. He celebrated their accomplishments, commiserated with them during setbacks, encouraged them on their journeys and was most content when they were in his presence.

His parents, three brothers and former wife preceded Willard in death.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Barbara Marie Wilson; a son, Calvin Lee and wife Roxie of Busby; a son, Jeff and wife Pat of Big Fork; a daughter, Wendy Ciarrocchi and husband Mark of California; a son, Tim and wife Renee' of Texas; and a daughter, Rebecca Andrade and husband Jeff of Arizona; 13 grandchildren, Jeff, Brittani Mahoney and husband Jeff, Chance, Megan, and Bergen Morehouse and husband Brett, Whitney, Alyssa, Jake, Olivia, Zach, Sienna, Gabrielle and J.J.

Cremation has taken place in the Bullis-Eastern Montana Crematory. A celebration of life service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Private inurnment will follow at a later date. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Should friends desire; memorial contributions may be made to the Big Horn County Historical Museum.