Lloyd W. Wilson, 85

Lloyd W. Wilson, 85, husband, father, grandfather and retired Flathead High School teacher, died Oct. 14, 2010, at his home in Yuma, Ariz. Lloyd was born July 28, 1925, in Paxton, Ill., the son of Clarence and Ida Wilson and the youngest of five children. He spent his childhood in Mason City, Iowa, and graduated from high school with honors. He joined the Navy in 1943 and served on a merchant ship in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was injured when a torpedo hit the ship. He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education, and obtained his Master of Science degree from Colorado State University in 1951. Lloyd met Mary Vangeline Goodrich, the love of his life, on the USO Club dance floor at Treasure Island in San Francisco. They were married in April 1944, and spent 66 enjoyable years together. Lloyd began his teaching career at Flathead High School in 1951 where he taught drafting, printing, bookbinding, leather craft and driver s education. He was one of the most highly respected teachers by the Flathead High students. He retired in 1984 after 33 devoted years. To know Lloyd is to know the romantic, enchanting Flathead Lake. Lloyd shared his passion for the lake through singing both gospel and romantic songs to the local residents on one of his moonlight cruises. He loved to dance, whether it be with his own two legs or with the beat of his toes. He was light on his feet for a man of his 6-foot, 6-inch frame and fondly was known as Twinkle Toes. Lloyd loved to hunt and fish with the reverence and respect of the Great White Hunter. He was an excellent marksman. Lloyd s most highly treasured possession was his unconditional love and compassion for his wife, Vange. They were at each other s side through good times and bad, and truly lived the gospel of Christ through their marriage. Their compassion and unconditional acceptance of others was known throughout the Flathead Valley. They opened their hearts and home on Flathead Lake to treasured family members, friends and weary travelers who needed assistance. Lloyd and Vange gave to others from their heart. Those gifts will always live on through the lives of those they touched through their careers and friendships. Lloyd was known to many as Captain, Dad and Confident. Lloyd truly embraced love, life and the Creator s gifts with his loving heart and giving hands. His greatest love was his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ida (Iler) Wilson; and his five siblings, Alta (Wilson) Lund, Wayne Wilson, Juanita (Wilson) Stephan, and LaVon Bonnie (Wilson) Rabe. Lloyd is survived by wife, Vange; sons, Brent and Karen-Jo of Yuma, and Richard and Rosie of Rollins; grandsons, Daniel of Lewistown, and David of Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will always be loved, respected and greatly missed by those he left behind. Lloyd was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Dayton Presbyterian Church, Elks Lodge, and the Disabled American Veterans of which he served as president for several years. Beloved niece Mary Ellen Miller wrote of her uncle, Lloyd, You are now the first mate on the Creator s ship. A memorial service will be held in Kalispell next summer. To send condolences and sign Lloyd s guestbook, go to www.sunsetvistafuneralhome.com.