William R. Martindale

William "Bill", 67, passed away on Feb. 16, 2017, after a long battle with colon cancer. Born in El Dorado, Kansas, on Jan. 21, 1950, to G. Bernice (Ridgeway) and Lein A. Martindale. Bill graduated from El Dorado High School and attended Butler County Community College and Wichita State University. He received a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas and accepted an associate professor position at Montana State University (MSU). He married Lori Calahan on Aug. 18, 1984. They built a home and a family together north of Bozeman in Springhill Community. Together they raised sheep, cattle, llamas and two children. He had many adventures haying, camping, and buying and fixing up apartments. Bill, Lori and the family spent countless wonderful hours riding horses and mules in Montana and later in Arizona. Bill was a true worker at everything and after 28 years he retired from his teaching position at MSU to pursue his passion of ranching at his Locomotive Butte Ranch near Ryegate, Montana. He and Lori split time between the ranch and their Springhill home near Bozeman while wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona. He treasured his many friends in all three locations.

He is survived by his wife Lori, son John, daughter Teri (Hartman), son-in-law Ross Hartman and granddaughter Roslyn (with a second granddaughter on the way) and his sisters, Laura (spouse Bob Boyer), Leinetta (spouse Sol Evans,) and his brother, Richard. A memorial service with reception to follow will be held on March 25 at 11 a.m. at Springhill Presbyterian Church located 9855 Walker Rd. Belgrade, MT 59714.