Bill Sutton, 72

William “Bill” Robert Sutton, 72, passed away in Kalispell, on April 17, 2023. Even as he battled health issues for the last few years, he told us, "Every day is a gift," and he lived every day as such.

Bill was born Sept. 18, 1950, in Modesto, California, to Bob and Marie Sutton. He graduated from Davis High School as a multisport athlete and with deadly accuracy from a duck blind. He then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in botany from Humboldt State. During Bill's time in northern California, he spent his days biking out to the coast and many a night sleeping in his tent listening to the waves crash. In the morning he would pull on his wet suit and dive for abalone along the rugged and remote coastline. He married the love of his life, Cindra, in 1980 at Morris Chapel on the University of the Pacific campus in Stockton, California.

His passion for botany and horticulture drove Bill's career and eventually led him and Cindra to Montana where they have resided for the past 28 years. Bill worked as a territory sales representative for Bailey Nurseries. His work allowed him to do what he loved and cultivate decades-long relationships throughout the beautiful northwest and Canada. During his years in the Flathead Valley, he served on multiple school boards and was instrumental in the establishment of Glacier High School.

Everyone who knew Bill knew he was the ultimate gentleman. In many ways, Bill seemed larger than life. He made everyone he met feel welcome and respected. His ability to build up those around him and tell a tall tale won him many a friend and ally over the course of his life. Everything he did, he put his whole heart into it. His main goal in life was to create an environment in which his family could thrive. He woke early to prepare a full breakfast every single morning, never missed a game or concert, and always looked forward to coming home to his loving wife after a long business trip.

Toward the end of his life, Bill enjoyed the simple pleasures of being a grandad, supporting his loved one's passions, and sipping a whiskey while looking over Flathead Lake and holding Cindra's hand.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years Cindra; his son Parker Sutton (Katie); his daughter Patrice MacMillan (Josh); and his two grandsons, Brooks and Cooper MacMillan. He is also survived by his sister Karen (David) Ethier.

Bill's family will be hosting a celebration of life service in Belgrade this summer, where we will drink whiskey, smoke cigars and celebrate Bill exactly how he would have wanted.