Charles William Koon

HELENA - Great Falls native Charles William "Bill" Koon, 65, a retired teacher and Army veteran, died Saturday at his home of complications from surgery that occurred Nov. 24.
His memorial service is noon Thursday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, followed by burial with military honors in Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Fort Harrison. A reception will follow the services at Jorgenson's Restaurant in Helena. Retz Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Bill was born Oct. 31, 1943, in Great Falls to Bertha (Amburs) and Charles William Koon. He graduated high school and served our country in the U.S. Army with four years of service in Oakland, Calif., and Worms, Germany. Bill married Diana Lynn Gray on Sept. 18, 1965, in Great Falls, and they enjoyed more than 43 years of marriage together before his passing.
Bill received a bachelor's degree from the Montana State College in Bozeman and went on to earn his master's in marketing from the Montana State University-Bozeman. He was a high school teacher for 30 years at Helena High School before retiring.
Bill's life was defined by his love for his family and his passionate career as a teacher. He thoroughly loved the outdoors. Included in that was fishing here in Montana at the Big Hole and Fort Peck with longtime best friends, and enjoying catching big fish at Cabins in Alaska, in Craig, Alaska. Gourmet meals and "fine" whiskey were always on the menu for seasonal hunting trips. His passion for photography graduated him from black-and-white slides to today's digital camera.
Mr. Koon's career of teaching was never a job. His students meant the world to him. He learned just as much from them as they did from him. His spirit lives on through all of us.
He is survived by his mother, Bertha (Amburs) Koon of Spokane; his wife, Diana of Helena; a son, Charles William "Chad" Koon and his wife, Deena Koon of Salt Lake City; a daughter, Dana Leigh VanSteenvort and her husband, Jadin VanSteenvort of Salt Lake City; and his granddaughter, Ryan Isabella Koon. He also is survived by a brother, James Koon of Spokane; a sister, Sharon Little of Spokane; and numerous well-loved nieces, nephews and their children.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, Charles William Koon.
Memorials in Bill's name are suggested to the Helena High School DECA program, in care of Helena High School, 1300 Billings Ave., Helena, MT 59601.
Condolences may be posted online at www.mem.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.