William Jon Meyers, 75
William Jon Meyers, 75, of Bigfork, died on Nov, 11, 2019, Veterans Day.
He was born Aug 23, 1944, in Honolulu to John and Grace (Ventura) Meyers. He was called Buster after Buster Brown, a popular comic strip about a cute but mischievous boy and his dog. The nickname stuck.
On June 14,1953, the family moved from Hawaii to Burien, Washington, where they remained. After high school he was drafted in 1965 to the Vietnam War. He served in the storied 1st Calvary (Airmobile) Division. In Vietnam the 1st Calvary suffered more causalities then any other Army division. Buster was awarded the Purple Heart after being severely injured. He was honorably discharged in 1967.
After the war Buster’s aim was to explore the world and rediscover who he was. He worked in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, lived on Vashon Island, Washington, sailing his 32-foot catamaran, spent six months in Jamaica, dug sapphires in Montana and traveled extensively through Europe; He moved back to Hawaii in 1979. One of his most memorable experiences was helping to rebuild Father Damian’s Church at Kalaupapa in the historic Leper Settlements on the Island of Molokai.
In life, Buster was low key, wicked handsome and funny. He was a problem solver and could fix anything. He was kind, decent, willing to help wherever needed and loyal to his friends. Most notably, he was a devoted husband and father. He loved having a family and fully lived the life he wanted.
Nothing mattered more to Buster then meeting the true love of his life, his wife Patricia Rockhill, “Trish.” They met in Hawaii in 1979 then married in England in 1983. Moving back to Hawaii, their first child, Coral, was born. In 1984 they moved to Cleethorpes, England. There they owned and managed a hotel and had their second child, Jonathan. In 1987 Buster made the decision to move his family to Montana. They bought their home in Bigfork and later had their son David. Buster worked for Hill and Day Construction from 1991 to 2006. He helped Trish open Buzz and Bagels in her little red trailer 21years ago. The community and his family became a perfect fit.
Buster was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Anuhea.
He is survived by his wife, Trish; three children, Coral, Jonathan, (Catie) and David, a sister, Jean; and sister-in-law, Pearl.
A formal service is reserved for his immediate family. There will be celebration of life for all friends and family in the summer, to be announced.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Lodge, Memory Care Unit at Buffalo Hill and Home Options Hospice for their loving care. Instead of flowers, the Meyers ask that you cherish your family in Buster’s example, make a contribution to Home Options Hospice in his name or to the charity of your choice.
Buster will be fiercely missed, as he was loved. He would ask that each of us place a hand in any stream or river we encounter. He’d want us to feel our everlasting connection, as he believed we’re all rivers that flow to the sea.