William A. 'Bill' Glidden, 73
William A. “Bill” Glidden passed away on Feb. 27, 2019, his wife at his side.
Bill was born on March 30, 1946, to Leon J. and Bettie C. Glidden in Seattle. Bill attended schools in Seattle until the family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1962. Bill graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1964. He graduated from Chadron State University in Nebraska where he earned a degree in industrial arts.
Bill also proudly served our nation during his time in the National Guard. He was a duty, honor, and country man all the way.
Bill was married to his life partner, Shirley O’Neill, for 45 years. Bill had a long and successful career with the Boeing Company for 30 years where he spent time working and traveling internationally when not at the corporate headquarters in Seattle.
Bill loved life and was an avid sportsman. He was an excellent skier and loved golfing, hunting and fishing. Bill was an exceptional fisherman and would outmatch his friends for prize winning catches. He would stand by the icy river for hours when the whitefish were in. Bill was also an exceptional woodcarver and handcrafted many award-winning Northwest Indian pieces.
Bill was a kindhearted man who always took care of his friends and neighbors. From helping a Cub Scout build a soap box derby car to helping a neighbor build a new porch deck, he was there if you needed him. Bill and Shirley moved to Kalispell in 2003 upon his retirement from the Boeing Company.
He was an active member of St. Matthew’s Parish and the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife Shirley, his sister Suzanne Sullivan (David) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, sister and brother-in-law John and Sharron Moran of Helena, his nephews Jerry Moran, Kevin Moran and Michael Burns, and niece Heather Anderson and their families. Bill’s love for Shirley knew no bounds. His character and spirit will sorely be missed by everyone fortunate enough to have been his friend.
Funeral services for Bill will be held at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on March 16, with rosary at 10 a.m.
The family requests in lieu of sending flowers, please consider a donation to the William Glidden Endowment for the preservation of the Jesus Statue on Big Mountain. The statue commemorates the 10th Mountain Division, which had fought in Italy in World War II. Bill was a very strong advocate in the defense of the statue. For a history please Google “bill glidden Jesus big mountain.” Donations can be made to the Knights of Columbus Council 1328 - William Glidden Endowment, c/o St. Matthew’s Parish, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901.