Willard Dean "Billy" Waldo

1946 - 2025

It is with weighted hearts that we continue to say goodbye to one of the brightest lights to ever shine. In the early hours of October 16, 2025 Willard "Billy" Dean Waldo passed peacefully in his sleep at his home in Bellingham, WA. While we miss his quick, sometimes acerbic wit, his occasional foul mouth, his generous heart, and his unconditional love, we are left warm knowing that he passed with a strong Catholic faith and that his spirit rests in peace.

Born on January 15, 1946 in Casper, WY to Rufus Arden Waldo and Lenora Grace La Rose, Billy was the oldest of six siblings. In 1964, Billy graduated from Lander High School (Lander, Wyoming) in the spring and enrolled at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah in the fall. After a year at BYU, Billy enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was trained as a Chinese Interpreter at the Monterey Defense Language Institute.

In 1969, he returned to Wyoming and married Trudy Otto. Together they moved to California, to Washington state where Billy graduated from Evergreen State College, then to Oregon, before settling in Red Lodge, Montana to raise their three children. Billy was a life long learner and lover of literature, philosophy and music. It was in Red Lodge that he fully committed to his dream of writing songs, singing, and performing. Billy joined a band of musicians to form Billy Waldo and the Flying Grizzlies and they spent the 1980's and early 1990's becoming a regional favorite and entertaining folks across the Rocky Mountain west.

In 2006, less restless, Billy and Trudy moved to Bellingham, Washington to be near their beloved grandsons Oliver and Oscar. Not long after, their daughters joined them, and Billy spent his remaining years together with his entire family. Always a lover of nature, Billy found solace in the subtle beauty of the Puget Sound. He joined a local group of musicians and continued to write, play and sing until his voice left him.

Billy is survived by his wife Trudy of 56 years, son Tyson, daughters Bryndl and Senna, grandsons Oliver and Oscar, his siblings Gary, Donny, Sandi, Greg and Rodney. Brothers /Sisters-in-law and many nephews and nieces and his family of life long friends.