James Keith “Butch” Liles passed away March 8, 2021 in Cottonwood, Arizona. Jim was born October 23, 1945 in Terry, MT to Maynard and Gleda Kuehn Liles. He attended a one-room schoolhouse near the family farm on Bad Route, later moving “to town” to continue through high school where he was active in football, basketball, softball, boys’ quartet, drama club and student government. He was raised in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from Terry High School in 1963 and enrolled at Eastern Montana College in Billings for two years where he tried his hand at bull riding through the Rodeo Club. He transferred to the Univeristiy of Montana, pledged Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and graduated in 1968 with a degree in physical education and science. He put himself through school by raising sheep and spent his holidays and summer vacations working on the ranch, on a custom combining crew, and relaxing Saturday nights by cruising Terry’s Main Drag in one of his hot cars. He cherished the members of his small THS graduating class, remaining friends with them through the years. He was a member of the National Guard, where he went “Airborne” as a paratrooper. Summer Camp often resulted in bizarre jobs for Jim such as a lifeguard or mailman, and he elicited many a chuckle from friends as he explained how such jobs materialized for him when he was supposed to be on a long, dusty hike. Life in the country included learning to play cards and that pastime led him into the world of Bridge, where he earned a couple of master points. He was a good poker player too, and loved to tell the story of winning “big time” at the slots in Las Vegas once.
He was an independent child. When he was ten years old, he sneaked into the cab of his father’s truck bound for Minneapolis and fell asleep. His dad discovered him halfway there. “Butch” became his dad’s helper in below zero weather once they reached their destination, he never did that again, but it made a good tall tale to be oft repeated. He loved to talk to people and many are the times when a simple trip to Wal-Mart for a gadget became a two hour marathon as he encountered friends and blocked the aisle while solving the problems of the world (or just gossiping!) Jim joined the United Methodist Church in 1993 and was an active member, often cooking at the Fair Booth or for various church functions. He loved to swap recipes with the ladies working alongside him in the church kitchen.
Jim was a good man, a faithful son, brother, husband, father, and friend. The many prayers received since his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in July, 2020 have uplifted him and his family are most appreciated. His special friend, Larry Petersen drove him round trip to Phoenix for five months to receive weekly chemo treatments. His nephew, Waide Stockhill made space available at his home for them during that time.
Jim married Mary Ann Stockhill on June 28, 1969 after meeting their first day of school, Senior year at U of M. They briefly lived in Billings, then moved to Terry for two years before purchasing a ranch near Glendive. Their son Nathan was born in 1976, a “Bicentennial Baby”. In 1979, an opportunity arose in Great Falls, MT for Jim to open a commodities brokerage office for Peavey Company. And in 1980 Jim and Mary Ann were blessed with a second son Ryan John, the family remained in Great Falls until 1984, at which time they moved to Sidney. Jim became a stockbroker and worked for Shearson, Lehman Brothers there and in Billings. In 1988, Jim took a job at Fall River Feedlots in Hot Springs, S.D. to manage their cattle futures business. After seven years, the family moved to Miles City to be closer to family and Jim opened JL Futures, Inc. He was a featured speaker for several years in Phoenix at the annual Wealth Conference and through that association, he met people from all across the country. Many of those clients called him regularly after he retired, just to chat. He was honored in 2000 to be chosen as the representative from Eastern Montana for the U of M Alumni Association Board of Directors. He retired from commodities in 2015 and spent the next two years working for Lee Richardson as an insurance adjuster. In his spare time, he traveled the state’s golf courses as a certified inspector. He was a member of Toastmasters, the Town and Country Club, the Miles City Club and the United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, a brother, Michael Kem Liles, His mother and father-in-law, Hazel and John Stockhill, Sr., his brothers-in-law, Daryl Jerke and Johnnie Stockhill, Jr. and several beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was especially close to his aunt and uncle Darlane and Frank Pisk.
Together for 52 years, he is survived by his wife Mary Ann. Also surviving are his sons, Nathan (Robin) Liles of Kihei, HI and Ryan (Sara) Liles, of Paso Robles, CA, a granddaughter, Savannah Liles, of Castaic, CA two step-grandchildren, Mikaela and Kaenen of Kihei, HI and a former daughter-in-law Wendy Liles of Castaic, CA; his sister Bonnie Liles Jerke of Billings, MT, nephews Ty Jerke (Peggy) of Billings, Brady Liles (Tonya) of Terry, MT, Levi Liles (Jacklyn) of Miles City, MT, a niece Sheena Liles Eads (Matthew) of Bozeman, MT and many treasured cousins. A special relationship was enjoyed with Curtis Liles (Jen) of Chandler, AZ, but he loved all his many cousins. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Debra Stockhill (Doug Wilson) of St. Paul, MN and Pamela Stockhill Kirch of Fayetteville, AR.
Due to Covid restrictions, memorial services will be delayed indefinitely. Private burial will take place in the family plot in Miles City, MT. Condolences to the family can be made by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Lynn Anderson says
Mary Ann, Nate, Ryan and families,
My heartfelt condolences to you all during this difficult time. Jim was so very dear and special to me and my family. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. I will always remember his sense of humor & laughter, his good cooking and his willingness to help others whenever or however he could. Jim had a huge heart! Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God grant you peace and comfort as you navigate through the loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather.
Jane Shores says
Mary Ann, I’m so very sorry for your loss! You’ve been in my prayers and I’ll continue! Jim was a special person!
Pam Rogge says
MaryAnn and family, my prayers and condolences are with you at this time and in the days ahead. Cherish the memories!
Mary Notbohm says
Mary Ann, Nate, Ryan and family. We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. We are holding all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Chuck and Mary Notbohm
Diana Stieg says
Marianne and family. I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
Bobbi Schlepp says
Mary Ann, I’m so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Sending prayers your way
Diana Stieg says
Mary Ann and family. I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
Lana Rae (Ek) says
Mary Ann, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember your sweet kindness when my sister passed away and it meant so much to me. I hope you will keep the fond memories of your own life close to you at this time and that time will heal your heart. Love to you.
Linda Hodgson says
Mary Ann, so sorry for your loss. 🙏🙏
Doug and Lucy Benge says
Mary Ann:
Lucy and I send our condolences on learning of Jim’s passing. Seems like we’ve known the Stockhill family almost forever. What a great long time friendship! And of course you and Jim were fellow Griz, definitely in the minority in MC, but we had a lot of fun with it. Best wishes.
Delores Cameron says
Mary Ann, my sympathy to you and your family. I grew with Butch and his family. They were special neighbors. It was always fun to have a chat and reminisce.
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
My thoughts and prayers for the Liles family; may you find peace in sharing memories
Robert Curl says
Mary Ann, and family, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in this time of loss, Remember Butch growing up, visiting the ranch and Terry when we were young, our folks would get together on Sundays, Parents would talk and us kids played , Good memories of Butch and all the cousins in Terry Mt. Prayers to you and your family
Sandy McFarland Hays says
Mary Ann, So sorry to hear about Jim. I did enjoy visiting with him whenever we would run into each other. Sending condolences to you and your family.
Lee Richardson says
Mary Ann, Amber and I are so sorry to her of Jim’s passing. I had many good times playing bridge and working on claims with Jim.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mary Snell says
My heartfelt sympathies to the Liles’ family. Always enjoyed Jim. My son raised chickens and Jim was his best customer for farm-fresh eggs!! Jim would pay him in Sacajawea Dollars, which made my son’s day!! Prayers to you all!
Jean Jones says
I am so sorry for yoyr loss. Jim always had a story to tell and a smile. God Bless you all
Ray and Terri Schmidt says
Mary Ann and family,
We are so so sorry for your loss. Ray always enjoyed visiting with Jim. We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Chris and dennis says
We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. What a wonderful man and friend he was. We will always remember Jim with fondness and when we think of him, we always get a smile on our face.
AL, Myrna Kutt says
Mary Ann and Family,
We enjoyed seeing Jim at Church and wherever else. Always appreciated talking with him, very intelligent person. We will miss him at Church . So sorry for all of you, it is hard to lose someone so special.
Al and Myrna Kutt
Cheryl Tonn says
Mary Ann. ❤️ I am so saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. I’ve had your card sitting on my desk forever to thank you for sending me that picture of Bill and I and John. My kids went crazy over it!!! Bus just last Sunday mentioned Jim was not doing well and I had intended to send a note this week. Well they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions and here I am. I attempted an email but the gmail was rejected.
I pray for peace for your heart. That memory of the suffering is hard to erase but I would “change channels in my brain “ when it went there and was so painful and I felt I couldn’t breathe. I would just repeat I cannot go there right now. I will later when the pain has eased. It was so helpful for me and maybe it could be for you.
I am giving you a big virtual hug right now. Feel free to correspond anytime. I am here…
Fred and Vicky Anderson says
Mary Ann and family,
We are very sad to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a very special person. I can recall memories of times we shared when attending college at “then” Eastern Montana Collège. It was great reconnecting with him when your family moved to Miles City.
He will be missed but not forgotten. Our prayers are with you.
Candyce MacDougall Weber says
Mary Ann and family, I am so sad to learn of Jim’s passing.
Jim was always a good friend. He once said I was his first girlfriend! When we lived across the street from each other, we got in trouble for throwing cow cakes at each other. I have no idea how that got started. I’m sure his Dad wasn’t real happy about that. I always looked forward to class reunions with Jim as the speaker. It took me years to get used to calling him Jim, he was always Butch. My condolences, he will certainly be missed.
Leslie Lucas says
Mary Ann…I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. You were both always so thoughtful in your letters to mom and dad and I know dad is there with a handshake and a hug to welcome him to Heaven. Praying for comfort for you and your family.
Frank Tooke says
I am saddened to note Jim’s passing. He was a great guy and an asset to the community. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Marc and Denise Hartse says
Mary Ann and family. It was with an extremely heavy heart to hear of Jim’s passing. We enjoyed him a great deal and thought very highly of him. I always greatly enjoyed our conversations about politics and his sense of humor about it. I hope he knew how much we appreciated you two allowing us to spend some time with you at your home. The world is going to be a little bit emptier without him.
We hope you, Mary Ann, and all the family accept our deepest and most profound sympathies.
Barb Bender says
Mary Ann and family. I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barb Bender
al says
Goodbye Jim, you were a hell of a guy
Gary Coffrin says
Marcus told me the sad news, Mary Ann. I cannot imagine a bigger loss. I am sorry for the gap you must feel after 52 years of partnership, the burden this places upon you. You have my deepest sympathy.
Mary Partridge says
Mary Ann, I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I just knew he could beat down this cancer like he had done with his previous health issues. I can still see him practicing putting in the hallway, much to Ron’s dismay. Just wasn’t fitting for a business office. We swapped many stories over the years we were neighbors. I will miss him so much. Please hug your family and know that we all love you and cherish Jim’s memory.
Liane and Lew Vadheim says
Mary Ann and family, Our thoughts are with you during this tough time. What a lot of fond memories I have, Mary Ann, of our younger years. Jim had the benefit of your strength, wisdom, kindness, and humor for more than 50 years–that was part of your gift to him. I know you are sharing those qualities with the rest of your family and they will help as you all deal with your loss. Sending a virtual hug until we can be in person. Love, Liane
Michael L Stockhill says
Well Mary Ann, I remember us on our sailboat on Flathead Lake. Jim said it was fun to have an intelligent conversation. I told him he was just spending too much time east of the mountains.
Yr cuz
Dave Hawkins says
Mary Ann, just happened to see this obit while googling Miles City Star obits. So very sorry for your loss. Tried to call you on phone numbers I found on White Pages but both disconnected. While I never met Jim, his /your life is pretty impressive. The Stockhill family was a big part of my parents business and personal life. Best wishes and sincere condolences to you.
Ed Cheslackl says
Over the years I have tried to track Jim down and always came up empty. Today I was happy I was finely able to located him when I found out he had passed. Mary Ann I was so sorry to hear, I think of our first meeting in Hot Springs at the video rental, then we tried the Noni Juke at the stock show in Rapid City and Sun Glasses at the Fairs in South Dakota and Montana. I friend ship was brief, but I think of him often and thanks for putting me up during the fair. If you ever get to Florida we are just south of the Cape Ed Cheslack and Mary Redfield 321-253-0693