Wilbur 'Bill' O. Dempsey Sr., 82

Family and friends of Wilbur “Bill” O. Dempsey Sr. are deeply saddened by his recent passing.

Bill passed away at home of natural causes on the evening of Aug. 24, 2015.

Bill was born in Frazer, Montana, on Sept. 4, 1932, the youngest of eight children. His family moved to the Flathead Valley in 1946.

He met the love of his life, Lorraine D. Sheridan, at a roller rink at Lake Blaine and they were married on July 2, 1952, a marriage that lasted more than 63 years. Only his passing could take them apart.

They produced two daughters, Dorrie Stone and Debra Johnson, and a son, Bill Dempsey Jr. who gave him and Lorraine nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Along with his wife, Lorraine Dempsey, and his three children, Bill is survived by his grandchildren LauraLea, Tory, Jason, Brianne, Billy, Trisha, Shanda and Nikki.

Bill was preceded in death by grandchildren, Shayde and CassieJo. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his seven siblings.

He is also survived by his 13 great-grandchildren and his mother-in-law Hazel who turned 101 on

Aug. 1.

Bill would be unhappy if we didn’t also mention his dog Missie.

Bill worked as an auto mechanic after completing his mechanical training in 1957. Along with work, he loved the outdoors, especially fishing and camping with his family. He was also a man who became a trained athlete the second he saw a dance floor – any dance floor. He was also always only a call away for anyone that needed help with anything. It didn’t matter if it was a neighbor, a friend, a family member or even a stranger.

He will be greatly missed by a great many people.

Services are pending at this time, but those wishing to make donations are requested to donate to the local council for aging.

Lastly, the family thanks Jayson at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory who patiently, professionally and kindly helped the family through a very difficult time.