Funeral Mass: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Labre Catholic Church.
Graveside Service: Willow Crossing Cemetery
William Charles Billy Trusler was carried home on angels wings to his ranch on June 6, 2009. He passed away with his loving wife, daughter, and granddaughter by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.
Billy was a 3rd generation rancher of an old time pioneer family of the Otter Creek area. He was born in Miles City on November 27, 1936 to W.W. and Gladys Mondor Trusler. He was raised on the family ranch where his father taught him the ropes of ranching. He attended elementary school at Willow Crossing country school near Ashland and graduated from Colstrip High School in 1954. Throughout high school he enjoyed playing sports and lettered in football and baseball. He then attended Trade School in Fargo, N.D. to study diesel mechanics. On June 16, 1956, Billy married his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Rukavina. Together they lived on the family ranch and raised their children.
Billy was a regular Jack-of-all-Trades. He was a carpenter, a plumber, a craftsman, a mechanic, but most of all he was a rancher at heart. He loved working cattle on his ranch with his two sons. If he was not tending to his cattle or ranch, Billy could be found moving dirt with his Caterpillar machinery. He was really just a kid at heart playing in the dirt. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking in his shop. Billy loved to make people laugh and could bring a smile to their face. He was always telling jokes and reminiscing about the good ol days. He has too many great qualities to list. He was hard working, very generous, and never one to waste anything. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jackie; his sons: John C. of Ashland, Ernie Bill (Vanessa) of Ashland; his daughter, Vonnie Jo (Tim) Stroebe of Colstrip; his grandchildren: Kari (Anthony) Popke, Jennifer Trusler, Shane and Kevyn Stroebe, Traven, Tiarra, and Teegan Trusler; his great-grandchildren: Rylan, RaeAnn, and Tristen Popke; his sister, Judy (Vic) Rue of McLeod; his sister-in-law, Trudy (Raymond) Streeter of Cody, WY; his brother-in-law, Jan (Debbie) Rukavina of Cody, WY. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, W.W. and Gladys Mondor Trusler and his infant daughter, Jerry Lynn. Billy is home at last on his ranch in his final resting place. His spirit will always live on in his family and friends. He will always be loved and never forgotten.
A special thank you to Dr. Lucas and the nurses at the Hematology Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies and the 3rd floor Medical/Oncology nurses at St. Vincents Hospital for their compassionate and loving care.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Kenna Emmons Benefit at the 1st Bank of Broadus.
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