Robert 'Bob' L. Wilson, 81

Robert “Bob” L. Wilson, of Whitefish, died of natural causes Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011. He was 81 years old.

Bob was born on Sept. 21, 1929, in Velva, N.D., and lived in Ruso, N.D., and Anamoose, N.D., until 1947. Bob graduated from Anamoose High School in 1947. He joined the U.S. Navy for four years and was honorably discharged, spending his Navy career on the ship USS Steinaker in the Mediterranean area. 

After being discharged from the Navy, Bob moved to Portland where he met the love of his life, Lorraine Jackson. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before Lorraine passed away in December 2003. Together they had two children, Rollie and Debbie. They also adopted a nephew, Michael. 

Bob loved the outdoors. Hunting in the mountains or with a group of guys on the plains always netted a good harvest. He especially loved to go fishing with his buddy, Dave.

Bob was a friend of everyone, always ready to help anyone in trouble or need. He was a cowboy from early life and always had a horse to ride. If he wasn't home, you could very possibly find him at a rodeo. Both Bob and Lorraine were at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City in 1979 when their son Rollie was a finalist.

He retired as a foreman of the Flathead County Fairgrounds and continued to help with the fair until two years ago.

He will be greatly missed by his sons, Rollie of Los Angeles, and Michael of Las Vegas; and daughter, Debbie, of Whitefish, who was a watchful eye over her dad in recent years; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Joan, of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and a brother, Bill, of Bismark, N.D.; and his “adopted” family, Darrel and Diane Stoner.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; his father, Roland; mother, Florence; two sisters, Jean and Karen; and friend, Donna.

Memorial services for Bob will be held at noon on Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Country Kitchen at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. For more information regarding the service, please call 406-270-2180.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Bob's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Bob's Tribute Wall and offer condolences.