Billy ‘Bill’ Christensen
RONAN – A much-loved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, Bill Christensen, 85, of Ronan, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, with his family present.
The youngest of six, Bill was born Dec. 22, 1929, in Hot Springs. As a second generation homesteader in Hot Springs, Bill worked alongside his father and brothers on the family ranch located off Little Bitter-root Road until he purchased it in 1957. Bill continued to grow his herd of cattle on what became known as Springvale Ranch. In 1968, he was elected president of the Western Montana Stockgrowers Association. Bill enjoyed every aspect of the ranch life, from moving cattle along the dirt roads, to driving the calves to Iowa in his stock truck. In the late ‘60s, Bill started Irrigation Equipment from his ranch. In 1974, he moved the business to Highway 28 and welcomed business partner Alan McCoy.
After retirement in 1997, Bill could be found fishing, opening trails in the Bob Marshall with his friends, planting winter wheat, watching his grandkids participate in sports and 4-H, and training his stubborn mule John.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margalo of Ronan; son Shawn Christensen and wife Jen of Hot Springs; daughter D’Ann Carpenter and husband Kenny of Proctor; grandkids Justin Bras, Koren Stauffer, Reegan and Caden von Wildenradt and Katelyn and Kara Christensen.
He is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Rosa Christensen; siblings Lucy Alkire, Carl Christensen, John Christensen, Lavern Christensen and Nancy Spooner; and daughter Dawn Bras.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Lonepine Community Hall in Lonepine. Internment will follow at 4:30 p.m. at the Ronan Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Lonepine Hall Furnace Project, c/o Cindy Benson, 8 Lonepine Road, Lonepine, MT or Partners Hospice, 1 Fourteenth Ave. W, Grandview Clinic, Polson, MT 59860.
