William “Bill” Semsak
January 22, 1964 – February 4, 2025
On February 4th, 2025, our dad’s angels brought him home. Bill was born January 22nd, 1964, in Bozeman Montana. He was the fourth child of Albert “Sonny” and Anne Marie (Olsen) Semsak. When Bill was two years old, he and the family moved to Butte where he attended McKinley Elementary, West Junior High, North Central Middle School, and Butte High School. In the 1980s Bill moved to the Oregon coast. Living in Depoe Bay and Eugene he discovered his passion for fishing on the ocean. Just this past summer he got to fulfill his dream of an Alaskan fishing trip with his best friend Mark Rowe by his side.
Bill returned to Butte in early 1994, where he reunited with his junior high crush, Marla Dotson. They married on June 17th, 1995, and together they were blessed with two beautiful children. Their daughter Sarah in 1996 and their son Jacob in 2000. His family was his greatest joy and purpose. Bill worked as a general laborer and held many jobs. Working at O’Keefe Drilling, Butte Insulation alongside his good friend and brother-in-law Pat Dunn, at S&N Concrete, and later at H&H Contracting.
Dad spent many summers at Flathead Lake with family and friends. Flathead held a special place in his heart, and he treasured every moment spent there. Bill enjoyed going to rock concerts and watching NFL football games, always cheering for the underdog. A true outdoorsman Bill loved hunting, fishing, digging for crystals at Crystal Park, and digging for garnets at the Ruby Reservoir. Bill had a love for animals and had a special bond with the family dog Rascal. They could be seen taking daily walks and going for rides through town. Their connection was one of joy, loyalty, and unconditional love.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Albert “Sonny” and Anne Marie (Olsen) Semsak; his brother, Frank Semsak; his grandparents, Albert and Katie Semsak and Ralph and Monica Olsen; his aunt, Emma (Mihelich) Cheney; and his brothers-in-law, Pat (Ramona) Dunn, and Rick Dotson.
He is survived by his wife, Marla; daughter, Sarah; son, Jacob (girlfriend Jaci); his loyal dog, Rascal Semsak; his aunt, Sister Elizabeth Olsen, BVM, of Dubuque, IA; brother’s, Ralph Semsak of Butte, MT, Mike (Marian) Semsak of Las Vegas, NV, Dan (Margie) Semsak of Eugene OR; his favorite sister, Christine (Pat) Cunneen of Butte, Mt; his two best friends, Mark Rowe and Tom Rader; and several nieces and nephews, Matthew, Kaitlyn, Sophia, Eli, Derek, and Cienna Semsak; Emma (Keegan) Hall; Quinn, Ellianna, Reece, and Sam Cunneen; great-niece, Shailene; and great-nephew, Kolten Semsak.
A memorial service will be held at Lydia’s Supper club in Butte on Monday, February 17th at 1pm. His ashes will be interred alongside his father in Mountain View Cemetery.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services are assisting the family. In honor of our dad’s love for music we encourage everyone to wear their favorite concert/band t-shirt. Donations can be made in the donor’s choice.
Bill’s warmth, humor, and love will be dearly missed. His spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
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.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1 p.m
Monday February 17, 2025
Lydia's Super Club
4915 Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1 p.m
Monday February 17, 2025
Lydia's Super Club
4915 Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
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Tina Rader says
Rest in peace Bill. We all will miss you. You were Tommy’s best friend and his family really thought the world of you. It was our pleasure to know you and we will miss seeing you and your doggy at some of our gatherings. We Love You and will forever Miss You ♥️♥️
Brenda & Russell Dotson says
Goodbyes are never easy, may God’s peace and comfort be with you all. Rest easy Bill.
Yvonne Stoltenberg Levno says
We were friends in high school, he was a good person. I’m so sorry for your loss
Mick Cunneen says
My Deepest Condolences to the Semsak Family and to Bill’s Friends. Bill was one of the hardest workers I knew. He often cut my mother’s lawn and always did a great job. I had a chance to visit with him on several occasions and he was always excited to tell me a story about one of his adventures. I was sad to hear the news, Rest in Peace My Friend!
June Kelly says
Marla, Sarah, and Jacob our deepest condolences to you and Bills Family. Your Dad will be missed. He always had a smile on his face and a story to tell. He loved you three and Rascals with all his heart. May he rest in peace.
Rob Rowling says
Marla and family I’m sorry to hear about Bill. When you’ve known someone for 50 + years and still remain friends since grade school/McKinley.
R.I.P. MY FRIEND
Tori Gordon says
So sorry for your loss, deepest condolences to all of you Semsak’s! We are thinking of you and sending Prayers and big hug hugs!
Jim and Tori Gordon
Laura Pawlik says
R.I.P Bill. My deepest condolences to Marla, Jacob and Sarah.
Gary Daniels says
Eternal Be His Memory in the Kingdom of Heaven.
I will remember him with great fondness.
Love and condolences to the entire family.
Frank Fleming says
Deepest condolences to all Bill’s friends and family, may he rest in peace.
Mike McGee says
Bill’s family & friends, Bill was always a stand up guy! I have fond memories with him growing up and in boy scouts.I’ll never forget the first time I had Schlitz beer he smuggled on a backpack trip. He started our fire with gun powder and gasoline. Quite the explosion! Rest in peace my friend. Say hi to Ralph & Monica
Mike & family
Janice Clark Muniz says
My love and prayers to Marla, Sarah,Jacob( Jaci) and all of his wonderful family. And to his 4 legged companion Rascal. May his memories hold dear in your hearts. Bill was such a wonderful guy who loved his family very much. He will be missed. (((((hugs))))
Janice Clark Muniz
Kathy Harrington Coleman says
Dear Marla, Pat and Chris and family
So sorry for your loss. I haven’t seen Bill in years but have great memories from high school and all the fun we had.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Harrington Coleman
Don Morrison says
Marla, Danny, Ralph, Christine, and the Semsak family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Billy. He always stopped by my mom’s house to chat when he was walking Rascal. Those conversations were always fun. He shared his amazing Alaskan fishing trip photos and told all about the fish he caught and had to release. I’ll miss seeing him and Rascal walking and chatting with us.
Mary McGee-Spalding says
Semsak Family ~ My deepest sympathies! I will always remember Bill being sweet and kind growing up. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Benton Ryan says
It’s taken me a couple days to come to what words to say. We were inseparable from 2nd grade until about 9th grade. Your mom was my mom. You were always the “Fonz” to me, just like Ralph was your “Fonz”, in case he didn’t know. I remember many Friday nights waiting for Joe Voss (who I hope has already welcomed you); Kelly Flynn or Jim Walsh. I remember you spending hours feathering your hair, making me listen to Foreigner or Billy Joel nonstop; and Ralph losing his mind because he was not going to give us a ride to the Y dance or the KC because you wouldn’t leave the bathroom. You either had your blue shirt or brown polyester shirt. You always had those white pants. It was always because of “Marla”. She was the girl who we had endless conversations about. I truly feel like you saw her in slow motion, like someone out of “Baywatch”. Whether it was West Jr. High wrestling, where you were a great lil scrapper, our ski trips which we almost always missed because you couldn’t wake up (until the time I stole the boy Scout smelling salts and when you breathed in I popped it under your nose. I’ll never forget you trying to blow it out of your nose and how fast your eyes opened.) Mike McGee was right we used to make the Solon’s crazy as scoutmasters, we lived to torment them, it’s ironic you lived in their house. The hours you played on my step dad’s 18 wheeler which you loved. In retrospect the greatest compliment he gave me was “you should be more like Bill.” I kept up with you from afar and yes we did talk on the phone and it was just like we saw each other. I kind of lost rack after your mom passed; but we were definitely brothers. Thank you for your kindness when I felt like the biggest dork in town. If it wasn’t for you, the Amick’s, the Pelletier’s and the Christie’s and Joe Voss , man life would have been different. It was truly a cross between Porky’s and Stand by me. Thank you for being my brother. I know you adored your family, even Mike;) I know more than anyone how much you worshipped Marla. I know how much you loved your kids; I still have the pictures you sent. I wish I could be there, but 2 business trips this week. I truly loved you kid. It’s appropriate you are doing Lydia’s, first time we tried anchovies, (yuch); when we catch up in the next life I want to go on more of the Flathead trips. Love you kid! You were always my hero:) May the next part of your journey be amazing. All My heart to Marla and the kids.