Billy Gene Redmond, 78

Billy Gene Redmond, 78, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell after a courageous fight against prostate cancer. He was born June 2, 1932, in Kalispell to Oakley Rusty and Edna Redmond. The family lived in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, before returning to Kalispell in 1947. He attended Flathead County High School and graduated with the class of 1950. Billy was active in all sports and lettered in both football and baseball. He then continued playing football and baseball at the University of Montana in Missoula until he enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and served through 1954. Billy also played semi-pro baseball during his time in Korea. He then returned to the University of Montana in 1955 and graduated in 1959. His love and dedication of sports lasted throughout his adult life. He refereed basketball and football games for 40 years and was the 1990 inaugural inductee into the Montana Officials Association Hall of Fame. Billy was the District 1 Montana Officials Association Regional Director until his retirement in 1989. He was an avid and accomplished golfer throughout the state of Montana and Arizona. He was dedicated to and instrumental in the progression of the Buffalo Hill Golf Course for over 50 years, had served as president and was proud to call it his home course. In 2009 he competed in his 50th Labor Day Golf Tournament and each year was pleased to have golfed his age or under consistently. Billy was also very active with the Montana State Seniors Golf Association, where he served as president and helped organize the tournaments that took place across the state and in the Flathead Valley. He loved pheasant hunting with his son Timothy, friend Earl and others in eastern Montana, and looked forward to their annual trip for the past 40 years. He also loved fly fishing, music and was quite the dancer. One of his proudest accomplishments was his service in the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. He was selected for special training for the Navy Medic United States Marine Corps, where he developed friendships that he nurtured and cherished until his death. He married Velma Somerville Luke in 1956, and they returned to Kalispell in 1959. They had five children and later divorced. Billy treasured his time with each of his children and grandchildren and the many family gatherings. This is what his granddaughter Danielle has to share: My grandpa was a very special man. Between his education and experiences, he sure had a lot to teach me. I knew that whenever I was having a rough day I could go to Grandpa s for a night and he would take me out for dinner and a movie. I would always look forward to those special dinner dates, which were followed by a sleepover. One thing that we both had in common was our sweet tooth ; the only thing on the breakfast menu was, of course, Cocoa Puffs. Grandpa was always very supporting and encouraging in whatever sport I did. Being a basketball referee himself, I always knew that some tips and corrections were coming my way after a basketball game. I always knew that my grandpa was proud of me by the ways that he showed it. Whenever my report card came in, the first thing out of his mouth was, Oh boy ... what do I owe you now? For every A I earned, he would pay me in rolls of coins. Even though he did all of those special things for me, the one thing that I will miss the most are his special hugs and kisses. Like I said before, this is a very special man. I will always love and miss him with all my heart. He began his insurance and financial planning career when he joined Northwestern National Life in April 1959 and continued working until 2010. Throughout his career, he was recognized by his many NWNL/ReliaStar achievements such as Life & Qualifying Member of The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) several times, The Premier Association of Financial Professionals, No. 1 Top Producer Award, nine-time Top Ring Recipient and six-time Top 10 Producer. Some additional awards include the John Moore Award for leadership within the insurance industry and community and multiple recipient of the NAIFA National Quality Award for quality and persistence of business. Billy s reputation for his service and compassion to thousands of policyholders was one of his life s greatest accomplishments. Community involvement included being a member of the Shriners, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Exalted Ruler for Lodge 725 in Kalispell, Grizzly Scholarship Association and Alumni, and Apache Wells Country Club in Mesa, Ariz., just to name a few. His generosity of both his time and donations to multiple organizations and events will be long remembered and missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Velma; and eldest son, Kelly. Survivors include his children, Camilla Redmond Kruse and husband, Steve, of Delano, Minn., Gwyn Redmond Cooper and husband, Ward, of Natchitoches, La., and Ward s three children, Chris, Michael and Justin of Kalispell, Jill Redmond of Kalispell, and Timothy Redmond and wife, Jeannette, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Pierce Lindblad of Delano, Minn., Danielle ZuZero of Kalispell, and Scarlett Redmond of Kalispell; sister, Barbara Symington and husband, David; niece, Penny Twelves and husband, Bob Stepp, of Spokane; nephew, Teddy Kaluza and wife, Pam, of Spokane; niece, Judy Fyffe and husband, Don, of Issaquah, Wash.; and nephew, Tom Kaluza and wife, Marianne, of Sammamish, Wash.; and several grandnieces and grandnephews. Not only was Billy respected for his sports, military and career accomplishments; his family and friends were blessed by his love, compassion and loyalty. He was a true friend, and his friendships lasted a lifetime. He will truly be missed by all who had the privilege to know him. A celebration of his life will be at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell. Bring your stories to be shared starting at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please mail a donation in memory of Billy G. Redmond to the Flathead Valley Junior Golf Association, c/o Alice Ritzman, 64 E. Nicklaus, Kalispell, MT 59901.