William Victor "Bill" Hilzendeger

William Victor "Bill" Hilzendeger, 73, of Missoula, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at the Village Health Care Center.

Bill was born July 7, 1941, in Edgeley, North Dakota, to Michael and Magdalena Hilzendeger. He grew up on the family farm there with his five brothers and six sisters. After his first year of high school, the family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he graduated from Central High School in 1959.

In 1961, Bill joined the Air Force and served his country for five years. He was proud of his military service and liked to recall the time he spent stationed in countries around Europe. After an honorable discharge at the rank of buck sergeant in 1966, Bill enrolled at Northern State College in Aberdeen and graduated in 1970 with a B.A. in economics.

On June 17, 1971, Bill married Delores "Dee" Casteel in Missoula. After nearly five years of marriage, their first child, Christopher, was born, followed by Kristi and then Joshua. During this time, Bill worked as a salesman and manager for Iseman Mobile Homes in Missoula and Riverton, Wyoming. In later years, he would work part time in landscape maintenance and newspaper delivery.

Bill enjoyed fishing, gardening, woodworking, crafting things with his hands and visits with his children. Though he struggled with illness through most of his adult life, he always had a sense of humor.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and eight of his siblings: Elizabeth, Anthony, Joseph, John, Anne, Mary, Carol and Linda. He is survived by his children and their families, Chris, Kristi (John) Smith and grandson Jarrett, and Josh (Bethany); his sister, Frances; his brothers, Valentine and Peter; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Garden City Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at the Western Montana Veterans Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be left for the family at missoulafuneralhomes.com.
Read William Hilzendeger's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.