William Timothy "Tim" McLean

1936 - 2025

William Timothy "Tim" McLean

February 27, 1936 - October 29, 2025

Major General William T. McLean (Retired) was born in Anaconda, Montana, on February 27, 1936, to Margaret (Tracy) and Charles "Bubs" McLean. Tim grew up in a family with five boys and was raised in Anaconda, Montana. He enjoyed fishing, hunting ducks, and deer and elk hunting with his father and brothers.

He graduated from Anaconda Central in 1953, attended Carroll College in Helena for one year before attending West Point Military Academy. During these years Tim fell for the love of his life, the beautiful Arlene O'Brien. Tim graduated from West Point in June of 1958 securing his place in the "Long Gray Line." He was commissioned as an Army Officer, returned to Butte, MT, and married Arlene. They set off on a lifetime adventure and the beginning of a 31-year career in the US Army. Tim's overseas tours included Korea, France, Germany, and Viet Nam. His distinguished career culminated with him being promoted to Major General and serving as the 40th Quartermaster General of the United States Army. He could not have done it without the help of his wife Arlene. The dynamic duo. They were an inseparable team whose love and commitment to one another enabled them to breeze easily through all life's challenges.

After an illustrious career, Tim and Arlene retired in 1989 and moved back to their home state of Montana. They settled in Butte, just 26 miles from where he grew up in Anaconda. He always fondly joked that relocating from Anaconda to Butte raised the IQ of both towns! They enjoyed traveling with family and friends and loved spending time at their lake house. Tim loved his role as Dad…but cherished his role as Grandpa.

Tim was active in the communities of Butte and Anaconda; a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Knights of Columbus, Holy Spirit Catholic Parish in Butte, and the Anaconda Country Club.

The world is a better place for Tim McLean having been in it. The loss of our loving father is beyond words. He was and always will be the heartbeat of our family. He was ever present in our lives and always sought what was best for us and our loved ones. He will forever be missed but, he will live forever in our hearts, minds, and conversations.

Tim was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Margret McLean, his brother Charles McLean, and his brother Tim (Pick) Tracy, and his uncle Tim Tracy.

Tim is survived by his wife and best friend of 67 years, Arlene O'Brien McLean, his brothers, Edward McLean (Sandy) of Missoula, MT, and Tracy McLean (Michaeleen) of Anaconda, MT.

He is also survived by his five children: Timothy (Kimber) McLean, Tracy (Kathi) McLean, Stephen (Kathy) McLean, Veronica (Randy) Klinefelt, and Susan (John) Peters; his eleven grandchildren, twelve great-grand children, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in memory of William T McLean to the Butte Emergency Food Bank. Donations can be mailed to: 1019 E 2nd ST, Butte, MT 59701, or online at thebuttefoodbank.org

The family would like to thank Doctors Albrect, Hueftle, and Pullman for their specialty care in his last year of life. We would also like to extend our sincerest thanks to the staff of the Springs Senior Living at Butte, the team of health care professionals at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, and the team of Visiting Angels for their awesome, caring, and responsive support during his last 6 months. Your combined efforts went above and beyond what would normally have been expected and we cannot thank you enough. A special note of thanks to Shaylee Burke, who spent so much time with him and offered companionship when he needed it most.

Visitation for the Vigil begins on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel. Parish Vigil will be recited at 6:00 PM. Visitation for the funeral begins on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 AM in Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Butte.

For a more detailed version of this obituary, see the Duggan Dolan Mortuary website at duggandolanmortuary.com.