William James 'Bill' Shanahan, 81

William James "Bill" Shanahan, born in Whitefish on March 2, 1925, passed away quietly on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2006, at the age of 81, after a lengthy and valiant battle with bone cancer. As a father and dear friend to many people, he will be surely missed.

Bill attended elementary and high school in Whitefish, joined the Army in 1944 and then married Betty Jane Sagen that same year. Bill and Betty were married for 56 years before Betty passed away in September 2000.

Bill and Betty ventured forth from the Flathead to attend Montana State University and later, after the birth of two children, finished college at the University of Montana in Missoula. Throughout the decade of education, Bill worked for the Great Northern Railroad in Whitefish, where he had previously worked before moving to Bozeman for college.

Once graduated, Bill began his teaching and counseling career at Three Forks High School, where he taught five different science classes and supported the superintendent of schools to create the first guidance counseling program for that school district. He found his lifetime calling as a counselor, and with his advanced degrees from Washington State University and colleges in the California Bay area, he embarked on a role as psychologist and guidance counselor for the Cupertino School District in California.

During his 20 years of employment with the Cupertino School District, he was responsible for developing a special education program as well as a gifted-child education program. He spent his entire tenure at Cupertino Junior High School, where he worked closely with students and families as they needed his guidance. His greatest sense of achievement, other than his family, came from knowing how he contributed to the growth and education of more than 6,000 students. Many have sent him letters and cards over the years, expressing appreciation for his guidance and support, and he saved each note as a way of remembering his students and how much they meant to him.

Betty and Bill returned to Whitefish for retirement in 1984 so they could be closer to their family and to encourage their two children to visit and appreciate the Flathead Valley. Their retirement years were hardly "retiring"! Bill continued with landscape painting, did quite a bit of wood working for craft galleries in California and enjoyed doing yard work. Driving was one of Bill's many pleasures, so there were many short vacations to California and Washington, with frequent day-trip interruptions around Western Montana!

Bill is survived by two daughters, Jan and Sheryl; a son-in-law; three grandchildren; a grandson-in-law; and one great-grandchild. Sheryl Shanahan Brown married George Brown III in 1979 where both reside in San Jose, Calif. Jan Shanahan worked in the Bay area, in Redmond, Wash., and recently moved to Whitefish. Bill's grandchildren include Charlene Brown Alonso, her husband, Lucas, and their baby, Gavin William, who reside in Lake Stevens, Wash.; George Brown IV, who is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Eglin AFB, Fla.; and Becca Brown, who is in high school in San Jose.

Bill's sister, Pat Erickson, lives in Kalispell, where she raised five children and is a busy grandmother. Bill's sister-in-law, Margaret Shanahan Gesek and her two children, also survive Bill's passing. Margaret and her husband, Bob Gesek, currently reside in Columbia Falls after living in Whitefish for more than three decades. Bill also has two surviving brothers-in-law, John Baker, who lives Whitefish and is retired from the Great Northern Railroad; and Eugene "Mac" McCartney, who is also retired from the Great Northern Railroad, currently living in Mesa, Ariz. John has two sons and Mac has one daughter who reside out of the area.

Of special importance is the dear friendship Bill had with Char Marcus. They grew up in Whitefish, attended school together and had the delightful opportunity to meet again in 2001. Char has been a very special blessing in Bill's life, and he adored having her for a special friend and companion. Char's children, Marilyn and Don Moyer and Alan and Jo Gianoli, became devoted members of Dad's Flathead Valley family. They were very devoted to him, and he very much enjoyed spending time with them over the past several years.

Memorial services to honor Bill will take place 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. Burial services at Glacier Memorial Gardens will follow. The service will be conducted by Debbie Schmidt of the Methodist Church.