James Mills Hannay III, 77

James Mills Hannay III passed away in Whitefish on Jan. 17, 2015.

He was born Oct. 31, 1937, in Peabody, Kansas, to James and Neola Hannay.

He married Frances Pointer in September of 1958, in Topeka, Kansas.

His children are Kaylene, born in 1959, James, born in 1961, Matthew, born in 1963, and John, born in 1967.

The family moved to Fortine in 1972.

His occupations included serving in the National Guard, as a journeyman lineman and electrician.

He had a reputation as an ornery, fun-loving guy who was always ready to help out somebody in need.

His hobbies included being a ham radio operator and tinkering with all sorts of electronic gadgetry. He also held a private pilot’s license and loved reading about history.

He was disabled by a stroke in 1987, but continued to be fiercely independent and self-reliant until recently when he spent his last several years at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation (Genesis) in Whitefish.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frances; daughter, Kaylene; brother, Richard; and sister, Carol.

He is survived by his sons, James and his wife, Ruth, of Willis, Texas, Matthew and his wife, Deb, of Kalispell, and John and his wife, Jennifer, of Eureka; one sister, June Tebbutt and her husband, Harold, of Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren, Joshua Roose, Stephanie Hannay, Megan Jolliff, Melissa Hannay, Brandon Hannay, Alex Hannay, Nicholas Hannay and Sam Hannay; and great-grandchildren, Celene Roose, Tanin Roose, Tristan Roose, Lylie Eakins, Harper Hannay and Hunter Jolliff.

Cremation will take place at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.

Services will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers and cards, please make a donation to your favorite charity or just go out and help someone in need.