William L. Felix, Sr., 92

William L. Felix, Sr. 92, died Thursday, Aug.16, 2007, at St. John's Nursing Home in Billings. He was born in Bigfork on Nov. 11, 1914, to William L. and Mabel (Pengelly) Felix. He spent his early years on the family farm there until they moved to Kalispell after the death of his father. He graduated from Flathead County High School in 1932.

He was married to Hazel Yaple in Renton, Wash., and they moved to Billings in 1943 where he was an independent gas and oil distributor and eventually formed Marketing Specialties and Manufacturing.

Bill and Hazel enjoyed raising Arabian horses, in addition to other animals, and growing a large garden. They were active in the Billings Saddle Club, the Midland Empire Horse Show Association and the Montana Arabian Horse Association, and were members of First Methodist Church and Messiah Methodist Church. Bill was also a member of the Elks, the Masonic Lodge and was a vintage car collector. He enjoyed traveling and made trips to Australia, Alaska, England, Mexico, Central America and the Scandinavian countries. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell.

Some years after Hazel died, he married high school friend, Phyllis Bolton, and moved back to Kalispell until her death, when he returned to Billings to live out his life near family.

Bill was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Virginia and Charles Ramsey, and Frances and Walt Hensley; and a brother, Kenneth, who died in World War II in the South Pacific.

Survivors include his three children, William L. and Darlene Felix Jr., of Tucson, Ariz., and Boise, Idaho, Lois and James Lodman of Lakeside, and Linda and Richard Cebull of Billings; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A private interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, followed by a family memorial service.

The family suggests remembrances be given to the charity of your choice, or plants and trees to public gardens and arboreta.

Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel.