Bill G. Kane, age 68, of Olive passed away on Friday, July 3rd at the Billings Clinic Hospital in Billings.
Bill was born March 4, 1947 in Miles City, MT. He was the second of three children born to Delbert and Marian Kane. The Kanes lived on ranches around Powder River County until Bill was six when they moved to Belle Fourche, SD. They lived at the Belle Fourche Livestock sale barn where his Dad was employed. He told many stories of his younger years on the ranches and at the sale barn. Bill and his sisters attended grade school at Middle Creek School which was a short way from the sale barn. They later moved into Belle Fourche where he attended school through his Sophomore year. That summer he moved to Broadus to work for his Uncle and Aunt, Dick and Betty Smith. He graduated from High School in Broadus in 1965. Bill enjoyed the life at the ranch where he got to ride, break horses and help in all aspects of ranch life. But his favorite times were those when he was on his beloved horses, be it working cows, brandings or roping. In the fall of 1967, Bill enrolled in the Helena Vocational Tech School studying Ag Mechanics and Diesel Mechanics. He graduated from the Vo Tech in 1969. He spent the summer of 1968 working at an Ag Implement dealership in Bozeman and spent his extra time working with Uncle Jr. Kane working for McLees. While going to school he met Nancy Barbara Baum and they were married on April 17, 1970. They lived in Helena for a year while working for Gene Donaldson. Their daughter Shauna was born in 1971, later that year they moved to Olive, MT where Bill worked for Carl Smith, his mentor. Their son Justin was born in 1973. Bill treasured this time as a young family and the ranching life he shared with them. In 1977 they continued ranching when he went to work for Betty, John and Lana Smith. Having the school bus come right by the front door to pick up the kids for school was important to him. In 1985 Bill purchased the Standard Feed business and became an Independent Feed Sales and Service Manager, which later became Nutra-Lix. Bill was able to continue working with the ag community by feeding many ranchers cattle in Powder River and Carter county as well as neighboring ranches in Wyoming and South Dakota. Through Bill’s nearly 30 years in the feed business, Bill was always looking out for the ranchers by checking fences, gates, water and in some instances putting out salt if needed.
Bill was a member of the East Fork Roping Club and was proud to be able to have his wife, daughter, and son all roping with him. He was involved with the Centennial Cattle Drive in 1989. The following year the Powder River Wagon Trains and Cattle Drives was organized and Bill supported, worked and looked forward to the event every year that it ran through 2012. This event and any other get togethers gave Bill an opportunity to share his wonderful ability of story and joke telling. For several years Bill worked at the County Weigh Scales weighing livestock. From an early time in Bill’s life, if a thunderstorm came up, he would go the the highest hill and scout for fires. With his feed business he was able to support the Broadus Volunteer Fire and was always on call and there with his truck and water tanks full and ready to help out. He gave many hours of his time ready to fill anyone’s water sprayer or the department’s trucks. Bill’s family and friends were very important to him and he treasured moments spent with them. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bill is survived by “his bride” Nancy of 45 years, his daughter Shauna (Rob) Morgan, his son Justin, grandsons Tate Morgan, Colton and Kyler Kane; sisters Dixie (Bob) Ayala and Marilyn Kane; aunt Donna Bryant; several nieces, nephews and cousins. We lost one great cowboy, he will be missed by many.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 9th, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Broadus Volunteer Fire Department or to the Broadus Cancer Fund.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday July 9, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday July 9, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
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Vern and Andrea Rice says
Nancy and family, I am so sorry to hear about Bill. I extend our deepest sympathy to you in this time of sorrow. May his wonderful memories bring you comfort in the days to come. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you all.
Wayne & Anita Wetherelt says
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts & prayers for all of you.
Pat Franklin says
Nancy, kids and family, I am sorry to hear about Bill. My sympathy to you, remember all the good times and keep them close to your heart. I thought Bill had to be one who had to be one of the kindest person I knew. Will miss his jokes! My thoughts are with you!
M Jones says
I am sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences. I hope you will find some comfort and strength in Jesus promise of the earthly resurrection(Acts 24:15)and the renewed Paradise earth, where death will be no more and no family will mourn the death of a loved one.-Revelation 21:3,4;John 5:28,29;Luke 23:43. May GOD(Psalms 83:18)grant you peace and comfort now, during this grievous time.Matthew 5:4.
Cora Mae Smith Ofstie says
Nancy and family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. I have fond memories of when we were kids, when he lived at Uncle Dick’s and when he worked for my Pa & he & Nancy & the kids lived at the Kent Place. My Pa considered Bill to be another Grandson & always said he was “the Best Hand I ever had on the Place”. I always looked forward to a visit with Bill when I was in Powder River!
Marie Farrar says
So very sorry Nancy. I always enjoyed visiting with Bill. He will be missed.
Gerald & Janet Himelspach says
Nancy and family, We were shocked and saddened when we heard of Bill’s passing, We will always treasure our short time we had with him. Our sincerest sympathy to you all.
Kelli (Mellor) Davis says
Nancy, Shauna and Justin and families
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. So many wonderful memories with all of you growing up. If I can do anything please let me know. Sending prayers and my love to all of you
Julie Emmons Korkow says
Nancy and family, my condolences are extended to you. So sorry to hear of your loss. Hold the memories in your heart forever!
Marlin and Jeri Cooper says
Nancy and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Marlin and I were thinking of how good Bill was at remembering and telling jokes. What good laughs we had!
Dave and Janie Calvert says
So sorry for your loss hope that all of the wonderful memories help you through this rough time
Jean Hofmann Quinn says
Bill was the kindest man, who loved his family so much! My deepest sympathy to all. Nancy, my heart goes out to you.
Melody (Wetherelt) Hanzlik says
Nancy, Shauna, Justin and families,
So sorry to hear of your loss, My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ella Mae and Allen Drane. says
So sorry to hear about Bill,enjoyed him so much when we were all going on the wagon train.He was a great friend and family man.He will be greatly missed.
Lauri Morella Feralio says
Nancy, Shauna, and Justin
Was saddened to hear about Bill. Always enjoyed him at the brandings. Hold on to all the memories.
Don and Ginger Johnstone says
So sorry to hear about Bill. He was a good guy and we will miss him lots. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tami (Archer) Jenkins says
Nancy, Shauna, Justin, and families, So very sorry for your loss. Bill was a fun- loving, caring man who will be missed and remembered very fondly. Thank you for sharing him with our community. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Take care.
Ed and Bev Schaffer says
Nancy, Shauna, Justin, and families, we were so sorry to hear about Bill. We have so many good memories of back in the days when we roped and spent time together. Bill was fun to be around and we enjoyed him so much. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all, May God bless you with peace and comfort in the following days, weeks and months. He will be missed!
Ron Bidwell says
Sorry to hear that Bill left us. I was looking forward to seeing him at our 50 class reunion. He will be remembered with a great deal of respect.
Mary Smith Roig says
Bill and Nancy are wonderful people. I was saddened by Bill’s passing…I knew him since I was a kid. There was never a time he wasn’t kind and friendly. My family appreciated his hard work. When Isaac, Maggie and I moved back to Montana in 2006, Nancy and Bill were the first friends to welcome us. I will always remember that. Nancy, you were a wonderful wife and friend and my prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family.
Phillip Huckins says
Nancy, Shauna, Justin and Grandchildren, I am so glad that was able to make it to Billings to have a nice visit with Bill and all of you last week. I cherish the memories that I have of our friendship. Our team roping days are especially memorable. Bill always maintained a sense of humor and had that admirable characteristic of putting a smile on the worst situation. God Bless him and keep his family safe!
Aletta Shannon says
Nancy, Shauna, Justin and families~
We’re thinking of you in this difficult time. Bill will always be remembered for his fire fighting help and the many kind deeds he did for others. May special memories help ease your sorrow! Our Sincere Sympathy~
Mary Ellen Schnur says
May God bless and strengthen you in the days ahead, Nancy. I have many good memories of Bill during your courting days.
Duane & Lisa Phillippi says
Nancy & Family: We were sorry to hear about Bill. Always enjoyed visiting with Bill and have a lot of memories of him going back to our younger years. He was a good man. Our condolences are with you and your family.
Justin, Charlee & Fam says
I’ll never forget that sly smile or the hat…he never went far without it! Please know your family is in our thoughts and Bill is in our prayers..
Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed
through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.
Nikole (Gotfredson) Cook says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time.
Vicki Lloyd-Loomis says
Nancy, Shauna, Justin and families, I am so sorry for your loss. I have many great memories of East Fork Ropings and 4-H activities with Bill. My deepest sympathy to you all during this difficult time
Greg & Lynn Gardner says
Nancy and Family, so sorry to hear about Bill, he was such a neat guy, he had such a unique voice. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Greg
Roger and Judy Bonefield says
Our prayers and thoughts are with all of Bill’s family. Enjoyed knowing Bill as a Classmate when he attended high school in Belle Fourche. I remember Bill as quiet and friendly. Reading his obit I learned allot about him and all his accomplishments . A man to be remrmbered. Supporting Ag.
Glenn Gay says
Shauna, Rob, Tate and family
Sorry to hear about Bill. Condolences to your family.
Jim Gregg says
To Nancy and family .. My prayers are with you all thru these sad times.. Bill was one of my best friends thru the yrs. I worked in the Broadus area and enjoyed seeing the family when I had time to stop in for a visit. Bill will be missed in the ranchers circle and thru out the community R I P Cowboy (Mr Bill Kane)
Dennis & Sandi (Brown) Bucher says
We would like to share our deepest sympathy to Bill’s family. We were in the same class with Bill in High School in Belle Fourche. He was remember this past weekend at our 50th Class Reunion. He was remember by many. May God see you all through during this difficult time.
Bernice Rolfson says
Nancy and family, I was shocked to hear of Bill’s death. My fondest memory is the trip to Minnesota in our motorhome along with the Amende’s. Just know my prayers are with you at this very difficult time in your life.
Colton says
this is my grand dad i am colton kane i loved him the most