Walter Dee Bilbro, 83

Walter Dee Bilbro, 83, passed away at his home in Kalispell surrounded by his loved ones on July 3, 2016, after a brief battle with cancer.

He was born in Dupuyer on Dec. 4, 1932, to Everett and Orpha (Moore) Bilbro. He graduated from Valier High School in 1951 and quickly joined the Navy, proudly serving his country as a Seabee until 1955.

He married Bertha “Micki” VandenBos on Sept. 13, 1953. Walt’s greatest loves were his wife, family and country.

Walt was a man of many talents. He had several different occupations, including farming, construction and heavy equipment operation before he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in 1969. He retired as the Valier Postmaster in 1992.

Although he was retired, Walt stayed busy with various carpentry projects for friends and family, building their retirement home in Essex, as well as driving school bus, hauling firefighters and doing census work.

Walt enjoyed spending time with friends and family, wintering in Arizona and traveling to many national parks and fulfilling his lifelong dream of visiting Alaska. Besides his work ethic, Walt was known for his sense of humor. He had a personality that filled the room and made everyone around him smile. Even in his last days he brought smiles to the nurses and aides that cared for him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Zelda, daughter Kathryn, son Don, two brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Micki, of 62 years; brother John Bilbro, sister Lou Wall; daughters Bonnie Buls and her husband Dan McDowell, Barbara DeMangelaere and Debra Johnson; ten grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on July 23 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell. There will also be a celebration of life held in Dupuyer on Sept. 3.

To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.