William (Willie) Hodgson passed away on Sunday, November 21st in Miles City. Willie was born in Miles City in 1940 in a small house just three blocks from the home he lived in for 55 years. He joined the U.S. Air Force at age 17 and was trained as a jet engine mechanic for F-104 Star Fighters. He served in the Air Force for five years, stationed in Victorville, CA with a one-year deployment in Spain during Cold War tensions with Russia. Willie really enjoyed his time in Spain and spoke about it often throughout his life.
After his time in the Air Force, Willie returned to Miles City and married the love of his life, Wanda Martin. They were married for 55 years and had four children. Willie also joined the Miles City Fire Department shortly after returning from Air Force. He worked there for about 30 years, retiring as Assistant Fire Chief. He was very proud to be a Miles City fireman and stayed in close contact with the department as well has his fellow firemen throughout the remainder of his life. On his off-days from the Fire Department, Willie also worked delivering freight in the local area for more than 25 years.
Willie and Wanda both enjoyed having dogs around the house throughout their lives, especially their many Scottish Terriers over the last 30 years. Willie also enjoyed doing projects around the house and took tremendous pride in keeping the house and yard in tip top condition. He also was lucky to live his life in the same north-side neighborhood as his parents, siblings, and cousins. This made for many wonderfully memorable times during summertime family picnics and holiday gatherings.
Willie was preceded in death by his parents John and Bertha Hodgson, his wife Wanda, his sister Lucy Peterson, and his daughter Wendy Hodgson. He is survived by his sister Betty South, brother Cliff Hodgson, and his three sons Wade (& Jeannie) Hodgson, Wayne Hodgson, and Wes (&Kellie) Hodgson, as well as five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Willie will be cremated and buried at the Veterans Cemetery in Miles City in the same plot as his wife Wanda. At Willie’s request, there will be no service at the cemetery. There will be a remembrance and celebration of life at the VFW in Miles City on Wednesday, December 8th at 4 pm. All friends and family are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to the No Kill Network of Montana which helps coordinate adoption of abandoned dogs and cats.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Ruben and June Opp says
Family of Bill Hodson,we are so very sorry to see where your loved one went to meet more loved ones of your family,we know he will be greatly missed but always remember the good times and that he loved you all so very much. Our thoughts and prayers are that God will bless and comfort you during these difficult days and the days ahead.
Ruben and June Opp
James Arneson says
To Bill’s family, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dad, grandpa and friend. I grew up on the north side and knew him a long time. Bill, I will miss seeing you at the clinic, laughing and visiting. Rest in peace,
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Willie’s family: reaching out to you with prayers during this time of grief.
Molstad Family says
Our hearts are breaking for you.
Kristi Randall Celander says
Wes and family, I am so sorry for the losses that you all have endured. Take care of each other.
Eugene Bankey says
Our sincere condolences to all of your family and friends. A life time of memories and friendship. Willie’s family and ours lived 2 blocks from each. His family lived on north Custer and the we lived on n. Jordan. UNTIL 1954. Enjoyed Enjoyed Our visits,when would see other .
Burch Palmer says
So long old north side friend. Burch and Linda
Mark R Nielsen says
Bills Family, I am so sorry for your loss, Bill was a good friend of my late father. after his passing I became good friends with Bill, I will miss our long visits every time we bumped into each other, I always called him, Old Dad, He always smiled, He will be missed, Rest in peace Old Dad,
Jackie Hunnes says
Wade, Wayne, and Wes my thoughts are with you at the loss of your dad
Joe and Cathi Peila says
I always enjoyed visiting with Willie, especially when he would stop by the office at the VA when I was still working. I would run into him once in a while at the grocery store or WalMart and the last time we chatted not very long ago, he was “so tired”, The last few years were hard. We send our sympathy, thoughts and prayers.
Jeanie sorensen says
Willie was sweet funny man and will be missed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Joe Whalen says
I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mr. Hodgeson’s family. I’ll miss his big smile and friendly waves from the van when passing by and our conversations about dogs. He was a good neighbor.
Doug and Diane Ellingson says
Willie always waved as he drove by. Smiling wth his dog in his lap. Our condolences on your loss.Thought and prayers for you boys and family.
Jessie Beehler says
Cliff and Hodgson families, Willie was always a pleasant and jovial man. He was honest and caring and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to you all!
Clem says
Colonel in joy your last call….we spoke of this time often I guess now we no who is first- save me a place on the tail board….to all of Wills family he spoke of you every time we got together with great love and honor my blessings.
God bless and keep you through this difficult time🙏
Sandi Waits and family says
Willie was a sweet and wonderful man! Not only did I have the pleasure to grow up on the north side and knowing the Hodgson family my entire life, later in life I had the pleasure to be hired by Mr and Mrs Hodgson to mow their lawn weekly and tend to their yard needs, for the past 12 years was definitely filled with joy and memories to last forever ❤ may you rest in peace.
Wade,Wayne and Wes my prayers are with you, God bless. With sincere love Sandi
Dan Waits says
Wade, Wayne, Wes my deepest sincere thoughts and prayers for all your family, Willie was a kind person and I always enjoyed his small talk along the way, growing up on the north side and always seeing those beautiful scottish terriers! As life went on my wife Sandi got the pleasure to do your mom and dad’s yard weekly, and those wonderful cute little scottish terriers have such an amazing humor as did your dad!! Your family were some of the most wonderful people in our community and will surely be missed but never forget!
Fred & Barb South says
So sorry for your loss. We knew Willie. His sister married Tom South, Fred’s cousin.
Linda Hodgson says
Will miss his waves as he drove around town and visiting with him at Walmart when we ran into each other. He’s not in misery any more and back with his heavenly family. RIP Willy
Terry Hanson says
I hadn’t run with Willie for many years. We would just say hello and go about our business. Willie, Marlo Martin and I were great friends at the Garfield school towards the end of the 2nd and throughout the 3rd grade. We definitely let the powers to be know we were around and very active. In those days it was a badge of honor to have the Apple Board administered to our rear ends for some infraction of the rules. I’ll miss seeing Willie now and then and just knowing he was around. I’m sorry to miss the gathering at the VFW but I don’t want to catch Covid. I have an underlying issue, being 80+.
John Clark says
Sorry for your loss.
Alvin Barkl says
So sad to see this I was stationed with Willie at George AFB.we were always together in town & on the flightline running the F104.we went to Spain together twice.I,m 83 live in Idaho.last time I talker to Willte was earlly 2000 whn I lived i n Elko Nv.Sorry that my long lost buddie is gone!!
Alvin Barkl says
Today decide to lookup old AF buddys,Sorry to see Willies passing.we were best buddys. In the AF.worked together 31/2 years together,went. to Spain twice.we loved running the F-104 everywhere.he got extended had to go to Germany, I was discharged Aug 23 1961.I live in Hazelton ID. Last I talked to him was early 2000,when I lved in Elko NV. Alvin Barkl 775-340-2807
Alvin Barkl says
I have a few pics with Willie & I in the AF together Alvin Barkl 775-340 2807 Hazelton ID.
Alvino says
Would like to hear from family.