Roy W. Bill McCaffree, 90

Roy W. Bill McCaffree, 90, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at Good Samaritan Mountain View Manor in Eureka. Bill was born on March 18, 1919, in Starr Mine, Mont., to Roy and Verda McCaffree. He was the oldest of seven children. He was raised in Musselshell where he graduated from high school. On Sept. 7, 1943, he married Virginia Hansen in Roundup. Bill and Virginia moved to Fort Riley, Kan., where Bill was stationed with the Army Cavalry as a technical sergeant during World War II. He earned an expert rifleman status and broke and trained horses to be used by the military for packing. After Bill s honorable discharge in 1945, they returned to Musselshell where they raised six children and ranched for 33 years. During his years on the ranch he raised sheep, cattle and quarter horses, and enjoyed guiding for an outfitter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness for a few years in the fall. He served on the school boards in Musselshell and Roundup school districts. He also served as a county commissioner in Musselshell County for nine years. In 1985, Bill and Virginia retired to Townsend where they lived for 20 years. Here he enjoyed raising horses, hunting and fishing. In August 2004, they moved to Columbia Falls where he spent much of his time gardening and sharing the fruits of his labor with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching baseball, horse racing and Professional Bull Riders. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, in 2006; brothers, Clyde and Glen; and sister, Agnes. He is survived by brothers, Ed McCaffree of East Helena, and Dan McCaffree of Roundup; and sister, Doris Wertman, of Billings. Bill is also survived by sons, Ernie and Wendy McCaffree of Columbia Falls, and Marlin and Sue McCaffree of Shepherd; and daughters, Mona and Darwin Parker of Hot Springs, Karen and Bob Smith of Eureka, Dianna Ammerman of Anchorage, Alaska, and Lee and Billy Smith of Humble, Texas. Also surviving are grandchildren, Lane and Emily McCaffree, and Shane McCaffree of Columbia Falls, Olivia and Karl Hennell of Kalispell, Kelly Parker of Hot Springs, Jim and Jacque Boyd of Richland, Wash., Kari and Jared Peak of Boise, Idaho, Billy and Sabrina Smith of Texas, Steve and Stacy Ammerman in Alaska, Justin and Rachel McCaffree of San Diego, and Quentin and Robin McCaffree of Billings. He also has five great-grandchildren. A visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls. A dinner reception will follow at Bill s home, 1600 Riparian Dr., in Columbia Falls. Memorials may be made to Friends of Musselshell School, Musselshell, MT 59059.