William Arthur Anderson

William Arthur Anderson "Bill" passed peacefully on July 29th, 2015 of natural causes at the age of 84. He chose to be at home surrounded by family.
Bill was born in Malta, MT on March 14, 1931. He grew up with his six younger siblings in Ronan, MT. He graduated from Ronan High School in 1949. He enlisted in the Army the following October. Bill served for over eight years in the military. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan for three years. He returned to Ronan where he met the love of his life, Virginia Bulen. He re-enlisted that fall and severed in security and chemical units at Fort Lewis and later, Fort Ord. He was assigned to duty in Desert Rock, NV, where he participated in 8 A-Bomb tests. He returned to Fort Ord in 1953. While on leave, he married Virginia Bulen on May 9, 1954. He was deployed to Germany for a year and spent the last three years at Fort McCoy and Fort Riley.
He returned to Montana and attended Montana State in Bozeman for two years before moving back to Missoula to finish his teaching degree at the University of Montana. He taught at Conrad High School for a year, then two years at Florence-Carlton School before joining Missoula School District #1. He spent the majority of his teaching career at Cold Springs and Lowell Schools. He retired in 1987 after 22 years of service.
During his retirement, Bill stayed busy caring for grandkids, creating things in his wood shop and cutting, tumbling and polishing agates. Bill would not hesitate to help whenever he saw a need. He genuinely cared about "How are you doing?" And was the first to offer congratulations, sympathy and solutions in any situation. Bill was a light-hearted, sweet man that enjoyed the simple things in life. He had a special twinkle in his eye for those he loved. He looked at most situations with an attitude of "We'll make it do." and "Its fine, just fine."
Bill was also very active in Masonic Organizations. He was initiated into Immanuel Chapter # 54 in 1989 and affiliated with Leona Chapter #31 in 2003. He served as Worthy Patron seven times over the past 20 years. Bill was Worthy Grand Patron for the 02-03 Montana Grand Chapter with Grand Matron, Alice Engen. He was also Worthy Patron in the Leona Chapter in 07-08. He received the Grand Cross of Color Award in 1990, for his many years of dedicated service to the Order of Rainbow Girls. Bill and Virginia were permanent fixtures at the Rainbow Girls corn booth at the Western Montana Fair every day, all day for at least 20 years. Bill also belonged to Missoula Blue Lodge # 155. He was an Honorary Past Master and served as Secretary for many years.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Virginia and his sister Bertha.
He is survived by five siblings, Andrew Olson, Marie Armstrong, Martha Bingham, Dorothy Reed and Doris Herron. His daughter Ruth Myhre and sons Leon and Victor Anderson. Bill adored his six grandkids, Erik, Dylan and Ellie Myhre, Kristen Kathrein, and Maggie and Samuel Anderson. He delighted in his two great grandkids, Aidyn and Liam Dixon. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Services will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at The Church of the Holy Spirit
130 So. 6th St E, at 11:00 am. Reception following service. Cemetery Service at 2:00 pm. at Missoula City Cemetery.
Cremation was under the care of Garden City Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com

Read William Anderson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.