William Vernon Immonen passed away on Saturday, September 16th after a family dinner celebrating his wife’s birthday.
Bill was born on February 12, 1944 to Walter E. and Bonnie Immonen (Rankin). He grew up in Walkerville and graduated from Butte High School. While attending Montana Tech, he met Wilma Wright at a party given by a foreign student. After three years of college, Bill joined the Army, was stationed at Fort Myer and worked at the Pentagon. He and Wilma married in December of 1965 in Washington D.C.. They would have been married 58 years this December.
When his grandfather was killed in a hay sled accident, Bill was discharged from the Army in order to run the ranch near Wisdom for his grandmother. After the ranch was sold, he joined the Army Reserve, with active duty AGR tour the Army Reserve Center in Butte While remaining in the Reserves, he also became a Distribution Manager for the Montana Standard for a number of years. He drove for North American Van Lines and Palmer trucking, traveling to all 46 contiguous states. After that he provided customer service to patrons of Radio Shack, Lisac’s Tri-Stop, and Hastings.
In the community, Bill was awarded the title of Green Knight for his help with the Girl Scouts, was a Cub and Boy Scout leader, assisted the Civil Air Patrol Program for a number of years, and taught countless people in Butte Silver Bow First Aid and CPR for the Red Cross.
Bill was an avid fisherman, hunter and backpacker. He and Wilma hiked to many high mountain wilderness lakes and they loved to travel and made journeys to Alaska, Hawaii and tallied thousands of miles pulling a trailer.
He was preceded in death by his parents and younger sister, Elaine.
Bill is survived by his wife, Wilma Immonen; daughter, Tracy Immonen; and daughter, Laurie Immonen-Edgar (Kevin); son, Travis Immonen (Janice); grandchildren, Melanie Wendt (Kevin), Morgan Edgar, Julie Warren, Meeka Warren, Jasper Immonen, Tristen Immonen, Matrim Immonen, Megwyn Immonen, Jaden Immonen; and great grandson, Dean Wendt; sister, Betty Lorenz; nephews, Terry Lorenz (Kim) and Mike Lorenz (Erin); and niece, Lindsay Miller (Joe); cousins, Walter Immonen (Judy) and Eileen Carey (Norman); and family friend, Marie Lester.
There will be a celebration of life at the Carpenter’s Union Hall on Oct. 21st, 2-5 pm. It would be delightful if you could share a memory of Bill. In lieu of flowers, please choose your favorite charity or Skyline Sportsmen, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Association (Montana Chapter), the Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter, or your public library and literacy programs.
We would like to thank the doctors and nurses of St. James Cancer Center, Enhabit Hospice and Copper Ridge for Bill’s care in his last months.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Bill.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Bill and his family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday October 21, 2023
Carpenter's Union Hall
156 West Granite Street
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday October 21, 2023
Carpenter's Union Hall
156 West Granite Street
Butte, Montana 59701
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Marie Lester says
I will miss his hugs and his snarky, teasing conversations. My heart is heavy. I wish love and peace to you.
Marie
Walt Immonen says
I will miss our birthday celebration, your humor & wit.
Rest in peace cousin Bill until we meet again.
Joe Warren says
Bill was a great guy. I served with him for a few years in the army reserves. Had the awesome opportunity of going to England with him. Bill had the big responsibility of ensuring that everything was taken care of for the troops and he did a wonderful job.
Emily Connors says
I had the pleasure of helping care for him in his last months, and he the sweetest most personable man with a truly adorable soul. He will be missed by many. Sending prayers and love for his family.
Carole Fanning says
Wilma,
So very sorry to hear of Bills passing. He was such a quiet gentle man. Please take care. Carole
SAM says
Bill, you did a fine job raising your family and being such an active member of your community. Rest in pride, and peace. Job well done.
Christina (Foley) Boyer says
Wilma, I’m so sorry to read of your husband’s passing. I know you and he had many happy years together. God bless you and your family. Love, Christina
Melanie Makin says
Wilma, Tracy, Laurie, Travis and Family,
I heard of Bill’s passing yesterday evening. He will be missed by all that knew and loved him. I am sorry for your loss. May God give you peace in knowing you will see him again.
Melanie (Coon)Makin