Charles “Chuck” Scofield, age 99, of Billings, MT, formerly of Williston, ND

In the early morning of November 22, 2024, Charles Scofield passed away at Right Heart Assisted Living in Billings, MT. He was 99 years old, just three months shy of his 100th birthday.

Charles Leo Scofield, born in Miles City, MT on February 18, 1925, was the only child of Charles Lockard Scofield and Marie Higgins. They were homesteaders who operated a family ranch near Broadus, MT. Charles attended a one room country school near the ranch, followed by high school in Deer Lodge, MT graduating in 1942. His father “Charlie” and grandfather John were Montana legislators. His father served as speaker of the House and then as a state senator. As a youngster Charles worked as a page and “spent time around the Legislature in Helena.”

Growing up in a remote region of Montana, Charles developed a fascination with radio, touting the medium as “our only link to the outside world.” He enjoyed collecting and repairing radios in the 1930s. During WWII he contributed to the war effort by installing radios on Navy ships in Bremerton, Washington. In the late 1940s he gained expertise in the many disciplines of broadcasting including engineering, programming, managing, and announcing. In 1950 he and his business partner Jim Carson purchased KWBM, a bankrupt AM station in Williston, ND. They operated on a shoestring until 1951 when business improved after discovery of oil in the Williston region. In 1954 Charles purchased Carson’s half of the business and changed the call letters to KEYZ. Over the years, he acquired and/or built three additional radio stations (KYYZ, KTHC, KLPZ) and a cable TV company (Community Service Television). The radio stations together formed “Scofield Broadcasting.”

Charles became a well-known business leader. He served the people of North Dakota for three terms in the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1980. He was president of the North Dakota Broadcasters Association, the Williston Chamber of Commerce, and the Williston Kiwanis Club. He was on the board of directors for the Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) Company, the North Dakota AAA, and the Greater North Dakota Association. He served as a director on the board for two independent Williston banks: American State Bank and First National Bank. He was active in numerous community organizations including Shriners and Williston Rotary Club.

Charles was famous for his quick wit, wry smile, dry humor, twinkling eyes, and bountiful intelligence. He was a self-taught teacher’s teacher who loved to read, and had an uncanny ability to notice anything and everything around him. He was an enthusiastic ham radio operator (W0HCO then W7HCO) with a distinct and resonant radio voice. As a private pilot, he loved to fly his Beechcraft Bonanza traveling the breadth of the USA (he owned four airplanes over his lifetime). He was a cautious but adventurous pilot often landing at a self-built airstrip in his dad’s cow pasture. He skillfully flew from one end of the Grand Canyon to the other at rim level. Summer’s free time was often spent with family captaining a boat named “Porcy-pine” and operating his ham radio from the boat often in communication with ham buddies around the globe. Upon retirement he traveled the world extensively, with a special fondness for the Mediterranean.

Charles is preceded in death by his first wife: Lorraine Ann Bergerson, his second wife: Regina (Gina) Mary Monson, and one stepson: KT Monson. He is survived by two children: Corinne Scofield Davies (Steve) of Tucson, AZ and John Charles Scofield (Janet) of Auburn, Alabama; one stepson: Kevin Monson (Amber) of Plentywood, MT; three grandchildren: Colin Davies (Caitlin) of Brisbane Australia, Gavin Davies (Ainsley) of Auckland New Zealand, Brittany Peck (Jon) of Baltimore, MD; three step-grandchildren: Tera Bell, Katie Justice, and Tiffany Novak; four great-grandchildren: Maia Davies, Charles Davies, Arthur Peck, and Lenora Peck; and two step-great-grandchildren: Penelope Park and Jonas Justice.

The family gives heartfelt thanks to Rowena Arnott and staff at the Right Heart Assisted Living facility in Billings. Deep appreciation goes to longtime caregivers Tessa Deckert and Leita Rides Horse.

Charles was buried in Custer County Cemetery, Miles City, MT on November 26, 2024, following a short graveside service. The family requests that memorials be sent to the Salvation Army. Condolences and personal comments can be posted at https://stevensonfuneralhomes.com. The family is planning a Celebration of Life, date and time to be determined.

Service Schedule

Graveside Service

1:00 PM

Tuesday November 26, 2024

Custer County Cemetery

Miles City, Montana 59301

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