William ‘Bill’ Lyle Grist (63) of Brockway, Montana passed away Saturday, October 11th at Riverstone Health in Billings, MT with his wife of 44 years, as always, by his side.
Bill was born December 24th, 1950 in Miles City, MT to Lyle ‘Bud’ and Marjorie Grist and joined an older brother, Gene. He grew up on the family ranch south of Brockway and attended school in Terry, where he stayed with his grandparents Bill and Mary Allen during much of the school year. Bill was a standout athlete, especially at basketball and enjoyed many outstanding seasons with his fellow Terriers. He graduated in 1969 and attended a year of college in Havre. In the fall of 1970 Bill married Cathy Gackle after meeting her for the first time a year earlier, even though the family farms are only 9 miles apart. He joined the National Guard and was trained as a tank driver in the armored cavalry, after which he and Cathy returned to the ranch to work alongside his bother and parents.
Bill spent the next 40 years on the farm raising crops and livestock. Along the way he was blessed with two sons, Cory and Kelly, whom he raised with inspiring love and patience through all the doctor visits, games and trials two boys can provide.
Bill enjoyed anything that allowed him to spend time with friends and family, whether elk hunting in the mountains, golfing or just visiting. His baritone voice and laugh made him easy to find in a crowd where he was one of the first to strike up a conversation and one of the last to leave.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Marjorie Grist and his son Cory Grist. He is survived by his wife Cathy Grist; his son Kelly (Amber) Grist; his three grandchildren Allison, William, and Emily; and his brother Gene (Norma) Grist.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Circle. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friend desire, memorials may be made to Riverstone Health Foundation, 123 S. 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101.
Dale and Ruth Bond says
Cathy-Ruth and I send you our prayers and let you know that you are in our thoughts.Lean on family and friends to help.Dale and Ruth
Dean and Judy Zentner says
Cathy– Kelly and Family you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill will be greatly missed.
Del Linda Frost and Barry Rakes says
Dear Cathy and Family,
Bill was an awesome guy, full of laughs, jokes and fun. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Melita Mitchell says
So sorry to hear of your loss, Kathy and Kelly. He is at peace and with Cory now. He will sure be missed! He always had a contagious laugh at pool league. Thinking of you, Melita
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Our deepset sympathy on your loss. God Bless!
Glen and Teena Bollinger
Dodie Paxson says
I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing! My deepest sympathy to you all! May your memories bring you peace at this trying time.
Dodie McDonald Paxson
Darlyn Larson says
My deepest sympathy Kathy, Kelly, Amber and kids !! Darlyn Larson
Garryn Tvedt says
Cathy and family ~ I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Casey & Cindy Phalen says
Cathy and Family. I am so sorry to hear about Bill. Always keep the memories close to your heart. Bless Ya much
Peggy Wilson Latrielle says
Cathy, I am so sorry about Bill. He was such a large presence in life–both literally and figuratively. I will never forget that huge smile and the glint in his eyes. I am so glad he was able to come to our last reunion. Know that you and the rest of the family will be very much in my thoughts.
Keith and Barb Hoover says
Cathy, Kelly and family,
Please except my sincere sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, all. Hugs
Patsy Kuntz/Harvey says
Cathy so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. May God bless you, our prayers are with you.
Josh Haber Family says
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Daisy & Red Langton says
Dear Grist Family – we are so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband/father/grandfather Bill. Praying God’s peace and love is wrapped around you.
Sherri Sutton Walla says
Cathy, Kelly, and family:
I am so sorry for your loss of Bill. He’s up in Heaven discussing the crops and weather with Dad, mom, Bud, and Marjorie! He’s also reunited with Cory and Jesus.. My heart goes out to y’all and your in my prayers. God Bless you.
Sherri Sutton Walla
Ellen Murphy says
Cathy, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May you feel Gods presence in this time of sadness. You are in my thought and prayers. god bless.
Peggy Iba says
Cathy, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You two were such a great couple. I always remember Bill’s smile and twinkle in his eye. May God wrap you, Kelly and family in comfort.
Iba
Renay Nesdahl says
Cathy,
I was so sorry to hear of Bill’s death. Please know you and Bill’s entire family are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. I know your faith in God and all friends and family will help. Keep them close and remember all the good times. I have such wonderful memories of visiting Bill and Gene every summer at the farm/ranch when we were growing up.
Renay
Don & Nancy Moos says
CATHY,
May God bless you, now and always. We are out of the area right now and are so sorry we won’t be with your for Bill’s funeral. He was a very special man. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jana Wilson says
Cathy,
My deepest sympathy to you on our loss.
Diane and Sven Idland says
So very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. We have many fond memories of Bill and Cathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless You All. Diane and Sven.
Annegret (Lackman) Sherrodd says
Cathy,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Blessings, Annegret
Debbie (Bond) Wagner says
Our prayers are with Cathy and the family. I have many memories of Bill coming into the store in Brockway as I was growing up. Debbie (Bond) Wagner
Bob Parker says
Cathy;
It is such a shock tome to hear of Bill’s passing. My prayer’s are with you, I have very fond memories of Bill and the things that we did during his senior year while I lived in Terry.
Bob & Susan Parker
Dillon,Mt.
Pam & Karl Rogge says
Cathy and family,
You have been in our thoughts and prayers. As said many times, hold on to the good memories.
Blessings,
Pam & Karl Rogge
Nick Terhaar says
Condolences to Cathy and the families. Bill was always fun to be with and was so appreciative of the history the two of us shared and the times we were able to spend together down through the years. He was much loved and will be missed.
Nick Terhaar
Sacred Heart High
Miles City, MT
Dea (Nefzger) Hostetler says
Cathy, so very sorry to hear of the loss of your dear husband Bill. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always! Dea
Laura Wolff Zimmerman says
Cathy, I was saddened to hear of the loss of your husband. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the Gackle family and the Brockway community. Laura Wolff Zimmerman
Robin Wolff says
Cathy, I am sorry to hear about Bill’s death. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts at this sad time.
Larry and Glenda Burke says
Cathy,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and all your family. Bill was a great guy and we will always have the memories of the great times we had when you guys would come to Deer Lodge to see the Brubakers.
Larry and Glenda
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family William Lyle Grist – It was not the Creator’s purpose for mankind to suffer (Romans 5:12). May the Creator give you peace through his promise to comfort us (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). Cherish all your happy memories and I hope that you are consoled by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
Mary Ann Liles says
Dear Cathy, Kelly and family, We had so many wonderful times with you and your family and we will always remember Bill with a smile. He was truly a mischief-maker with the best of intentions…to make us all laugh. We’ll miss his great laugh and the sparkle in his eyes and we’ll miss a good friend, helper, and neighbor. You are all in our thoughts and our daily prayers as you go through this difficult time adjusting to your loss.
Jim & Mary Ann Liles