James W. Dye, 83

James W. Dye, 83, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. James was born on April 7, 1924, in Kalispell, to Carl D. and Florence (Dodd) Dye. He attended schools in the Valley, graduating from Flathead High School.

Jim enlisted in U.S. Army Air Force on Dec. 2, 1942, where he was stationed in England during World War II. He received the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Medal and Champion Medal. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 12, 1945.

He married Elnora R. Bell and they were divorced in 1985.

Jim lived in the Flathead Valley for most of his life, with the exception of a short time in the 1950s when he lived in Alaska.

He worked at a variety of occupations; logger, welder, bricklayer, foreman on many jobs, he had worked on the Hubbard and Libby Dams, and had worked as a rancher the latter part of his life.

He was a member of the Eagles Lodge, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

His hobbies included hunting and fishing.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, father and one sister, Hazel Dye.

He is survived by his children, Carl J. Dye, Helen Dye Jackson and William R. Dye; grandchildren, John Dye, Carla Dye, Russell Jackson, Shawn Dye; four great-grandchildren; and two half-brothers, Gene Watters and Lyle Watters.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Buffalo Hill funeral Home. A luncheon will follow services at the Eagles Lodge.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.