On the morning of July 13, 2025 William “Bill” Robert Sill passed away peacefully at Copper Ridge Rehab Facility in Butte, Montana following complications from a stroke in April 2025. Bill was 87 years old. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 14, 1937 and was the 6th of 8 children born to Henry and Helen Sill.
As a child his family moved to Leonia, New Jersey where he loved hunting and fishing and spending time with his brothers in the outdoors. He later went to Michigan State University and received a BS in Geology. From M.I.T. he received his Master’s Degree and PhD in Geophysics. Notable places he worked included Bellcomm (Washington D.C.), University of Utah, and Montana Tech. He also wrote and published multiple papers that won awards from publications such as Scientific American. He also did geothermal research in Utah, and worked on the Apollo 17 moon mission. He was a wonderful mentor and teacher to his many students, friends, and family, and remained good friends with many of his graduate students from both Utah and Montana.
Bill lived a full life. He was an avid fly fisherman, skier, kayaker, rafter, hiker, camper, canoer, and mountain biker. He was a wonderful gardener, talented in cooking Chinese food, a dog lover, had a great respect and reverence for nature and the animal world, and was an epic story teller. His artistic side included woodcarving of Northwest Coast Native art, and he helped carve 5 of the Carousel horses that are located at Stodden Park in Butte.
He is survived by his wife Mary (Butte), daughters Helene and Kate and S/L Tory Sedgley (Salt Lake City), and dear friend Misti Andersen (Phoenix). Other surviving family members are Virginia Douglas (Edwin) (Tempe), and Henry Sill (Oregon). He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers and 1 sister.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice that supports wildlife, nature conservancy, or animal welfare.
Special thanks to the staff at Copper Ridge, the Honeybee Hospice nurses, and St. James Hospital, as well as all our family and friends near and far.
Celebration of Life to be held August 23, 2025 from 11am-3pm at the Front Street Event Center in Butte, Montana. He will be greatly missed.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care Bill and his family.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Bill.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11am to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday August 23, 2025
Front Street Station
800 East Front St.
Butte, MT 59701
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11am to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday August 23, 2025
Front Street Station
800 East Front St.
Butte, MT 59701
Share
Alana LaRock says
Mary and Family. My prayers are with all of you for strength at this difficult time. Keep those memories close to your heart. Alana😪🙏🏻
Maureen Harrington Britton says
Dear Mary, Helene, and Kate, My sincere condolences to you for the loss of your husband and father. I so enjoyed looking at his beautiful, fine, art and carvings, and visiting with him and Mary. And those big, beautiful flowers! He was a being who added fascination and awe to life for all of us. I am so sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Maureen Britton