William A. Hagan, 92

William Arthur “Art” Hagan was born in Great Falls on March 11, 1921, to William Arthur and Gertrude Hagan. He passed away Jan. 3, 2014, at Whitefish Care and Rehab Center.

He attended Catholic Schools in Great Falls and graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1939. He was attending Gonzaga University when Pearl Harbor was bombed. With his patriotic spirit he enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 24, 1942. He was stationed in Pensacola, Daytona Beach, Corpus Christie and Saipan. He was commissioned as a flight instructor as well as an aircraft carrier pilot. It was on the beautiful white beaches of Pensacola he met the love of his life and soul mate, Marie Constantine. They were married June 5, 1943, and were blessed with five children, all who survive him.

After his service to his country, Art and Marie bought and sold ranches in Montana. The first ranch was at Ennis and the last ranch was at Clyde Park. In 1970 they sold their ranch and moved to Billings, where they owned Roda’s Cleaners and numerous apartments. In December 2008 they moved to Whitefish to be near their two daughters, Connie (Ken) Gress and Jennifer (Huck) Cross. 

On Dec. 16, 2010, Art lost his beautiful Marie. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Regina Spall and Mary Evelyn Carton, as well as his parents. Art is survived by his children, Connie and Ken Gress, Jennifer and Huck Cross, of Whitefish, Marsha and Dan Kelleher of Livingston, Patti and Gary Brockel of Billings and Chuck and Tammy Hagan of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He is also survived by his sister Leonida Bodner of Raynesford, Mont.

Art was a a true statesman and patriot. He will be missed by his family and friends. Services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, at St. Charles Catholic Church, Third and Baker, Whitefish. Viewing is 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Austin Funeral Home, 6200 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish.

A special thank you to the caring staff at Whitefish Care and Rehab Center, where he had loving attention to the end.