Scott Waring Billmayer, 52

Scott Waring Billmayer, 52, passed away Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, at his home in Bigfork after a short illness. He fought a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer. Scott was born Dec. 1, 1954, to Frank and Jeanette (Kelly) Billmayer. Scott, the youngest of four sons, attended grade school in Hogeland. The Bilimayer family later moved to Chinook, where Scott played football for the Sugarbeeters. He graduated from Chinook High School in 1973.

On July 15, 1977, Scott married Joyce lnman at the Lutheran Church in Chinook. Together they moved to Hogeland, where Scott enjoyed farming and trucking.

In 1988, Scott went to work as a heavy-equipment operator and mechanic for the Montana Department of Transportation in Harlem, later transferring to Conrad. While living in Conrad, Scott and Joyce purchased Conrad Floral and owned and operated the Rocky Mountain Hi ski resort. In spring 2005, Scott and Joyce moved to the Flathead Valley, where he worked for the Flathead County Road Department until his illness.

All who knew Scott agree he was a kind and selfless person with a heart as big as the Montana sky. He freely shared his time and great mechanical abilities whenever there was a need. Scott was a self-taught man of diverse talents. He had a great knowledge and love for farming, which he passed on to his son.

Friend, neighbor or stranger all received the same full measure of all he had to offer. Things just always seemed to work better after Scotty had been around.

Scott's many hobbies included metal fabrication, gold panning, fishing, spending valued time with the family and friends who loved him, and lounging with his best buddy, a cat named Festus. Scott will be dearly missed by all who knew him, those who were enriched by his humor and who were touched by his enthusiasm for life.

Scott was preceded in death by his father, Frank, in 1976.

He is survived by Joyce, his wife of nearly 30 years; daughter, Jacklyn Billmayer, of Kalispell; son, Josh, and Heidi Billmayer, of Conrad; mother, Jeanette, and Richard King, of Conrad; brothers, Allen and Merrilyn Billmayer of Hogeland, James Jay and Vickie Bilimayer of Kalispell, and Gale 'Pete' and Pam Billmayer of Conrad; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the American Lutheran Church in Hogeland. Private family interment will precede the funeral. A luncheon will be after the service at the church.

Memorials honoring Scott's life may be given to the American Cancer Society or American Lutheran Church of Hogeland.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Scott's family.