Ervin McMillin

TWIN BRIDGES - Ervin E. "Bill" McMillin, 86, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2008, in Ruby Valley Hospital in Sheridan.

Bill was born Jan. 31, 1922, to Charles and Mary McMillin in Kennewick, Wash. The family later moved to Montana, where they lived in Dupuyer and later in Ennis. Bill joined the Army in 1942 and served stateside until he was honorably discharged in 1944. He went back to Ennis and worked on different ranches and driving trucks. Late in 1945, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Hungerford. They were married Aug. 1, 1946, and continued to live in Ennis until they moved to Twin Bridges late in 1951. Three children were to add to their lives, Janie in 1947, Judy in 1950 and Eugene in 1953.

Bill had many jobs in his life. While he and Dorothy lived in Ennis he went to work at the Marshall Wells store. When he and Dorothy moved to Twin Bridges he then became employed at the Ruby Valley Hardware and Grocery. To earn extra income to keep his family going he worked at many night jobs becoming known as "Mr. Fix-anything." He did wiring, plumbing and last but not least ran a sewer pumping business for years. There was no job too big or too small for Bill. He did things for a living that most people would never think about doing. Bill didn't have a lazy bone in his body.

Bill worked for McCullough Chain Saws for more than 15 years. He traveled the states of Montana, part of Idaho and Washington. All total he sold chain saws for almost 50 years. After leaving McCullough, he went to work for Montana Power at the dam in Ennis. After he was badly injured on the job he decided to "retire." But, Bill didn't know the meaning of retire. He continued to work on and sell his saws. He and Dorothy loved to get in a vehicle and hit the back roads all over Madison County. They were both great adventurers.

Through all his many jobs Bill made tons of lifelong friends. Included in those were several people from North Carolina. As one of his friends recently said, "Bill was the best loved Montanan who had never been to North Carolina." Bill also was a great storyteller and would keep people enthralled for hours. He was a wealth of information and a true historian. He also became an avid reader who would read anything he could lay his hands on. One of the daily things he did was to write in his diary, which will now be a lasting memory of his life.

He was a member of the Twin Bridges Fire Department and American Legion. His devotion to the Twin Bridges Cemetery will be remembered for years.

Bill will be remembered with love by his daughters, Janie Wasmann and Judy Evans; grandchildren, Kinnell (Jon) Steward and Chad Mattfeldt; great-grandchildren, Skye Mattfeldt, Bridger Steward, Ammon Marshall and Zoey Hilario.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy in 2006; son, Eugene in 1953; parents, Charles and Mary McMillin; brothers, Earl, Roy and Lloyd; father- and mother-in-law, George and Ruth Hungerford.

He is survived not only by his family but also by his brother, Chuck McMillin; sister, Marian Butcher; sister-in-law, Vivian Hungerford; numerous nieces and nephews; and of course, by all his dear friends.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 11, in K&L Mortuary in Twin Bridges, followed by military graveside services in the Twin Bridges Cemetery. Following the interment, a potluck luncheon will be held at the Fire Hall in Twin Bridges.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Twin Bridges Cemetery Association, Twin Bridges Library or the donor's choice.

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.

This obituary was originally published in the Montana Standard.