William 'Bill' Stratton Chatterton Jr., 38

William "Bill" Stratton Chatterton Jr., 38, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at Community Medical Center in Missoula.

He was born April 30, 1967, in Baton Rouge, La. He grew up in Bigfork. In high school he played baseball for the Glacier Twins as a pitcher.

He married Missy Anderson in 1984. They had two children, Danielle and Devin, his pride and joy.

He had a successful career in telecommunications working on the fiber optic line until 1991 when he was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in Creston. He became a quadriplegic from injuries sustained in his accident.

Bill has been living in Missoula since then. He was very independent. He owned his own home and lived on his own. He had caregivers who came in and out as he needed them. Great friendships were made through this and they took wonderful care of him.

He was not one to just sit around home.

He was a huge Grizzly and Osprey fan. He loved his sports.

Bill worked for the MonTech Program, which is a federal assistive technology program for people with disabilities.

He was the resource coordinator, providing information and referral, training and demonstration of the technology available to assist people in living more independently, a job he did very well. He also was assistant coach of junior baseball and basketball teams.

He was a huge inspiration to so many people. He touched many lives. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his two children, Danielle and Devin, and their mother, Missy Chatterton, all of Bigfork; his mother, Claire Chatterton of Minnesota; his aunt, Diane Chatterton of Louisiana; and many extended family and friends. He also leaves behind his faithful companion, Jaz, a gold retriever service dog.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Stratton Chatterton Sr., and his brother, Richard Chatterton.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Feb . 25, at the Little Brown Church in Bigfork.