William F. “Bill” Gillin unsaddled his horse and hung up his hat for the last time when he departed this world on September 20, 2022. He was born August 14, 1923, in Forsyth, Montana. His dad and grandparents had purchased a homestead relinquishment on West Armells Creek in 1913 where they began ranching and farming. Bill grew up on the ranch and lived in the same house all his life except for a stint in the Army. When Bill was 8 years old, his mother Phoebe passed away. After he read the Will James book Smoky the Cow Horse in 3rd grade, Bill wanted to become a cowboy. He rode horseback two and a half miles each way to the one-room Trail Creek School through 6th grade, then completed his schooling in Forsyth.
After high school graduation, Bill worked for the Quarter Circle U near Birney and for the Davidson Brothers on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Before ranchers trucked cattle, Bill and the other cowboys would trail them to the railhead at Benteen. He was also the horse wrangler on those trips.
In 1943, he enlisted in the Army and took college classes as part of the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Dayton in Ohio. Before completion, the Army decided they needed more ground troops, so he was reassigned. Bill’s father, suffering from ALS and with all three of his sons in the Army, needed help on the ranch. Bill was discharged in 1944 on family hardship, and his father passed away in 1945. Bill managed the ranch the rest of his life.
Coming home from the Army was challenging after the tough years of the 1930s. The homesteader fences were poorly constructed, and Bill spent countless hours rolling up fence wire and reusing it. He cut hundreds of junipers for fence posts, and dug the holes to plant them in, earning his PhD (Post Hole Digger). He was always happy to teach others how to earn their PhD also!
As a young man, Bill won the saddle bronc event at some local rodeos. At the Broadus Rodeo one year, he didn’t win the bronc riding, but he did win the heart of his future wife, Dixie Morse. She was raised on her family ranch northwest of Gillette, Wyoming. Bill and Dixie were married in 1948 and raised four kids on the ranch. Their marriage lasted 64 years until Dixie’s death in October 2012.
Always willing to help neighbors and serve the community, Bill was active in several organizations: Colstrip School Board for 12 years, president of Southeastern Montana Stockgrowers, Farm Bureau, Northern Plains Resource Council, and Parish Council. He was a range management leader in 4-H and a frequent winner of the Plant Identification Contest at the county fair. He was a supporter of the Rosebud County Museum in Forsyth and the Rosebud County Pioneers. Bill was a local brand inspector for nearly 70 years. He authored two Rosebud-Treasure County Brand books.
Proud of his Irish heritage, Bill traveled to Ireland in 2007. A highlight of the trip was visiting the farm where his great grandmother grew up in County Sligo.
On his 99th birthday in August, he enjoyed taking a flight over the ranch. Right up to his last days, Bill liked being involved with moving cattle from the comfort of a side-by-side, always with a dog in tow. He loved seeing the baby calves in the springtime and still tended his garden every summer. He said that he couldn’t imagine any other life and felt fortunate to have lived his 99 years on the ranch. In his last weeks, Bill said that he had had a wonderful life.
Bill is survived by his four kids: William “Tom” (Kathy) Gillin, TJ (Dennis) Cape, Becky (Larry) Miller, and Katy Boos; grandkids: Jonathan (Nicole) Gillin; Trisha (Ben) Croatt; Justin Cape; Gillian and Phoebe Miller; Riley, Audrey, and Bridget Boos; and great grandkids: Connor, Dominick, and Barrett Gillin; and River and Brennan Croatt.
Services:
Vigil: Friday, September 23 at 7:00 pm, St. Margaret Mary Church, Colstrip
After the prayer service, we invite our friends to share stories about Bill.
Funeral Mass: Saturday, September 24 at 11:00 am, St. Margaret Mary Church, Colstrip
Luncheon to follow
Interment: Saturday, September 24 at 3:00 pm, Forsyth Cemetery
Memorials may be sent to organizations that were special to Bill:
Rosebud County Museum
Box 88
Forsyth, MT 59327
4-H Council – Extension Office
Box 65
Forsyth, MT 59327
ATTN: Bill Gillin Project
St. Margaret Mary Church
Box 305
Colstrip, MT 59323
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
7:00 PM
Friday September 23, 2022
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church
Colstrip, Montana 59323
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 AM
Saturday September 24, 2022
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church
Colstrip, Montana 59323
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
7:00 PM
Friday September 23, 2022
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church
Colstrip, Montana 59323
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 AM
Saturday September 24, 2022
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church
Colstrip, Montana 59323
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Ken and Janice Watson says
Becky and family we are so sorry
Joyce Camper says
TJ and Becky,
We always enjoyed talking to your dad and mom. You could tell that Bill and Dixie loved the land and all their animals.
Our world was better because of them. Carl and Joyce
Colette Pedder Butcher says
TJ and family,
All of my sympathy to you for the loss of your Dad. Bill was a wonderful guy and I have so many memories of fair time with all of you guys years and years ago. 99…wow what a long wonderful life. Cherish all your wonderful memories.
Vickie and Dave Gunderson says
Becky and family, we’re so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, but what a long and wonderful life he must had led..99 years! Think of the changes he saw in his lifetime..amazing ❤
Shelly Holum says
Sending Prayers to all of the family..
Dee Macdonald says
so sorry for your loss…how fortunate you were yo have him in your life for so long! Condolences.
Jim Nygaard says
Becky and Family,
We’re sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He was a great man.
Our thoughts are with you.
Jim and Louella
Peggy Redman & Earl Mortensen says
To Bill’s wonderful family,
Earl and I are joining together to express our heartfelt condolences in the passing of your beloved, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather. Our parents were truly the “Greatest Generation.” We were blessed to have had them in our lives for as long as we did. May wonderful memories sustain you. May you be comforted by the thoughts and prayers of others who are sharing this sorrow with you.
Earl has many fond memories of brandings at the old Triangle corrals some 65 years ago. Many treasured memories were made at these occasions. In later years Earl and Bill would gravitate toward each other at gatherings and visit about the happenings of long ago. Earl especially enjoyed hearing stories about his Grandfather Earl Carolan from Bill.
Donna McCulloch says
To all the Gillian kids, I was sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He lived a long and fruitful life , married a wonderful woman and raised an amazing family. May the memories you have sustain you through these sorrowful days. Rest In Peace cowboy, you will be missed here on earth, but we know that there was a joyful reunion with Dixie, and you all will meet again someday.
Charlie DeCock says
Bill Gillian,a legend in my mind! Loved the history lessons of the local area about people and places. To the family it was an honor and privilege to be a friend of your folks. I have fond memories of our visits!
Tracee L Raymond-Waples says
To the Gillian family, Bill was an amazing man and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Prayers to you all.
Dale Valach says
TJ
I am saddened to learn of the passing of your father. Though you were blessed with his love and presences over a very full life, it has to be difficult for you to say goodbye. May you and the extended family find comfort knowing that he is viewing heavenly vistas from a saddle and being warmly welcomed by many a long-lost friend and loved ones.
Judy Hayworth says
To all the Gillin family,
I am so sorry to read of the passing of Bill Gillin…a truly wonderful human! He was such a good husband, father, community member and friend. I thought he was the best school board member and I wrote his name in and voted for him, on most of the ballots long after he had retired from the board. When my husband, Mike, and Lynn Nordahl worked on a barn or shed for Bill in the summer of 1971, Bill paid them with a beef, which was such help to both our young families.
Bill and Dixie were great help to our young 4H club when we organized in 1978. What a legacy they have left to their family and community.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Naomi Finnicum says
Our sympathy goes out to all of Bills family. We enjoyed visits with your dad and mom years back. What a great couple. Hugs to Becky,TJ, and Katy. Thinking of you today. Lorin and Naomi Finnicum.
Colleen Mork Yahyaoui says
TJ and Family, sending condolences and hugs during this sad time for you all. I am blessed to have met your Dad (and Mom) and to have spent time on The Ranch. Your Dad leaves a great legacy in what he and your Mom accomplished over their many years together! and raised a great family at the same time. Thanks for sharing your memories over the years. XOXOX
Lori Paull says
Never knew your dad (or mom) well, but remember sitting with them at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at CPRD and visiting. Very nice people. Nice obituary – I love the PHd comment! I don’t thin I ever met your brother, but three wonderful gals were products of this union. Lori Paull
Buggs and Loni Hartman says
Many many thoughts and prayers to all of the family. Such a beautiful obituary that was written for Bill. Oh the love and memories that you all must have, what a treasure of such a legacy. God bless you all.
Loren Williams says
Sorry to learn of Bill’s passing … love the hat-waving photo. I was honored to become acquainted with the Gillin family back in the mid-1960s when I was employed as Colstrip HS science teacher …and Tom was a top student. Best regards to the family and the entire community.
—San Antonio TX
Marcus Belgarde says
sorry to hear about bill’s passing he was a great person to know. hold on the to memories and cherish them.
Calene & Rick says
How blessed we all were to have had him in our lives… and you kids too!