Bill Reopelle passed away on the afternoon of March 21, 2024 from complications of dementia and COPD.
Bill came into the world kicking and screaming on his mother, Rose’s, 20th birthday. They always enjoyed sharing that same special day.
Bill’s early years were spent growing up in McQueen. Throughout his life, he always spoke so fondly of the people and the neighborhood of McQueen. At an early age, father Rusty and Grandfather Shorty instilled in the family a love of the outdoors. They would go camping and fishing often and it remained a passion for Bill until illness took over.
Bill was a fixer-upper extraordinaire. His trade was an auto mechanic. He and his brother Bob attended Denver Automotive Institute together. Bill’s gift for fixing things had friends and neighbors bringing him their non-working lawn mowers, chain saws, etc. to repair.
He made friends wherever he went and some that he mentioned frequently include Frankie, Mick, Jay, Gunner & Mark, some of them former co-workers. Bill would have been delighted by the moniker the nurses at Ivy gave him: “Wild Bill”.
Bill was preceded in death by: Grandpa Shorty, Grandma Aggie, father Rusty, mother Rose, brother Bob and nephews Tommy and Cory all of Butte, and nephew Michael Zohn of Salt Lake City.
He is survived by his wife, Corrine; children Billie Jo (Mat) of Eugene, Ore., Tim of Missoula, and Shawn, of Houston, Tx.
Additional survivors include brothers Tom (Heidi) of Butte; Chuck of Missoula; and sisters Patty Smigaj (Steve) of Missoula and Kathy Fullmer of Salt Lake City. Sisters-in-law Kathy Osier and Ann Marie Reopelle survive, along with granddaughters, Aurora (of Eugene, Oregon) and Charlie (of Salt Lake City) and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews.
A huge thank you to Senior Solutions and to the staff of Ivy for the excellent, compassionate care shown to Bill and the tremendous support to Corrine.
Bill has been cremated by Axelson and wanted no services. If anyone chooses to honor him with a memorial, please consider Pintler Pets in Anaconda.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Bill.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Bill and his family.
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Bryan Seidita says
Happy trails my friend! sympathy to all the family/
Kathy Fullmer Reopelle says
I will miss you big brother. I know you are in good hands right now. You will be forever in my heart
Pamela Dibble says
My sincere condolences to Corrine on the loss of your beloved husband.
shirley redd says
Dear Corrine. I saw a condolence message for you on my facebook feed, so I searched this out. I just want you to know that I am sorry for your loss. Although I only met Bill once, I rejoice that you had many happy years together. You, as always, are in my prayers!
Sharon Erickson says
Corrine, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I pray for God’s strength and comfort for you at this time. I too am happy that you and Bill had many good years together. I read on FB that you also have many loving, fury friends as well as pets. I’d love to see you. Maybe a family reunion can happen.
Russ & Sheila Trang says
Dearest Corrine, Our deepest Sympathy to you & all your Family. What a Beautiful Tribute of Bill in his Obituary! I pray God will Love & Comfort you, & that Family & Friends will also surround you with Love. I’m so glad we had 2 Wonderful “Dinner Dates” at each other’s homes! I’m Happy that you really enjoyed your home together, in the country! You’re in our thoughts & Prayers. Love
Russ & Sheila
Corky Logan says
Corrine, we are so sorry for your loss. We have so many fond memories of our dinners together at each other’s houses. The memory of Bill saying the best dinner I ever fed him was burgers on the grill showed what a down to earth man he was. The laughs and good times we all had together will never be forgotten. We love you.
Sean Milligan says
Corrine,
My most deepest sympathy in the passing of Bill. I enjoyed working security with him at Mt Tech .
Tracey wixsten-darlow says
Corrie, I am so very sorry for your. Prayers to you and your family
Robin Moodry says
Corrine, I’m very sorry to hear about Bill. He was a great guy and you guys were great neighbors. Please reach out if we can help in anyway. You and the family will be in our prayers,
Patrice Halverson says
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband Corrine. We are all thinking of you and sending you hugs and prayers of comfort. Aunt Janet and Uncle Eldon send you their love.
Love you,
Patrice (cousins for life)
Billie Jo Reopelle says
Missing you right now Dad