William M. Brass, 89

William “Bill” Brass passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2016, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He was 89 years old; nine days shy of his 90th birthday.

William Morris Brass was born to Julius P. and Ruth Blake Brass on Jan. 17, 1926, in Kalispell. Two years later the family welcomed Robert. The family moved to Helena in 1930 where he “survived the big quake” of 1935 on a morning he was delivering newspapers. He graduated from Helena High School in 1943. In that same year the family moved to Seattle.

Bill worked in the shipyard until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1944. He was sent to Aviation Machinist School in Norman, Oklahoma. It was there that he met his wife, Maxine, who was serving in the Marines. They were married March 12, 1945. in San Bruno, California. Bill was stationed at Moffatt Field, near San Jose, until he was discharged in Jan. 1947. Bill and Maxine welcomed their son, Bill, in to the family in July of 1946.

After discharge from the Navy, Bill and Maxine moved to Kirkland, Washington. Bill worked as an auto parts counterman in Seattle. In April of 1949, a daughter, Mary was born. Bill stayed in that line of work until he moved to Lakeside in 1955. The family became closely involved in community life in Lakeside; they have lived there ever since. Bill pursued employment in sales of restaurant equipment, and eventually he became a real estate broker. He opened his own office, the Brass Lantern Realty in Lakeside and Kalispell. Bill retired in 1994.

Bill was a Mason in the Bigfork Lodge. In 1973 he became the Master of the lodge, and in June of 1983, was the Grand Master of Masons in Montana. Bill was deeply respected by his Masonic brothers. He proudly received his 50 year pin 2011. Bill also was the editor and publisher of the Montana Masonic News. Bill served as a member of the York Rite Bodies, the Royal Order of Scotland, Algeria Shrine Temple and was most active in Scottish Rite Masonry.

Bill was a member of the Lakeside Chapel. In 1983 Bill took an EMT class, taught by his daughter Mary, and he became a member of the Lakeside QRU. This was a service to which he was deeply committed. Bill and Maxine loved to play golf. They travelled to Germany and around the U.S., visiting friends and relatives. Bill loved to spend time at the lake with family. In his younger days he even tried his hand at snow skiing. Maxine passed away in 1991 after 45 years of marriage. Bill eventually was reunited with his high school sweetheart, Margaret Dwyer-Downs, and they were married in June of 1994. They built a house together in Lakeside and enjoyed traveling in their retirement years. Margaret passed away in 2010. Bill decided to move to the Montana Veterans Home in February of 2014. He always felt at home and was well cared for.

The family would like to especially thank all the healthcare givers from MVH. They demonstrated with their caring actions how much they respected and liked him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Brass; and his wives, Maxine and Margaret.

Bill is survived by his children, Bill Brass Jr., and Mary Granger and son-in-law Don of Lakeside, and stepdaughter Peggy Jo Downs of San Jose, California; two grandchildren, Bruce “Billy” Brass and Andrea Brass; and two great-grandchildren, Brittany and Brianna, all from Mississippi. He is also survived by Lois Brass, sister-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be made to Lakeside QRU, or to the Montana Veterans Home or a charity of your choice. Notes of condolence can be sent to P.O. Box 100, Lakeside MT 59922.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on June 24 at the Lakeside Community Chapel and Volunteer Park.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for the Brass family.