William “Bill” Huckins, age 73, of Ashland passed away at his home on January 26, 2025. He was born on March 31, 1951, to Rita and Ben Huckins. He grew up around Shawmut and Billings. He also spent some time in Miles City with his grandma, Ruth Scanlan.
Bill was a brand inspector as well as a deputy sheriff for many years, but his true passion in life was shoeing horses and spent most of his life as a farrier. He took yearly hunting trips to western Montana and had great adventures with his friends packing into camp. Bill’s memorable trips were his fun family trips to Canada along with a trip to Alaska. Bill also loved a good cribbage game. Anytime he would have friends over, out would come the cribbage board.
Bill was married to Rosalie Hobill and together they had a son, Turk. They later divorced. He later married Jo Haughian and to this union, a son, Coaly was born.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jo; sons, Coaly (Sherry), and Turk (Jennifer); grandchildren, Fallon, Malin, Finn, Emily, and Cody; sister in law, Cecelia Stanly, Susan (Russ) Waples, Theresa Deuchar, Donna (Paul) Faber, and Nora Haughian; brother in law, Quinn (Penny) Haughian, Terry (Janet) Haughian, Pat (Sheila) Haughian; Huckins and Scanlan cousins as well as many nieces and nephews.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Rita Huckins; mother and father-in-law, Dan and Mary Haughian; sister, Danette; brother in laws, Doug Stanley and Gene Deuchar.
In Lieu of flower, donations may be made to the Broadus Cancer Fund, C/O Tyler Gardner, 20 Gardner Road, Ashland, MT 59003.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 11 am to 12:30 pm at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with a graveside service following at the Old Calvary Cemetery at 1:00 pm.
Service Schedule
Visitation
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Friday February 7, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT
Luncheon
Following Graveside Services
Friday February 7, 2025
Range Rider Museum
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Friday February 7, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT
Luncheon
Following Graveside Services
Friday February 7, 2025
Range Rider Museum
Miles City, MT
Share
Floyd Huckins says
Jo, Coaly & family, and Turk & family,
My thoughts are with you all. There was never a dull moment around Bill. I always enjoyed his “boot straps” common sense outlook on things, even when this outlook bounced off the wall now and then. We spent some wonderful times together. I’m going to miss him.
He dearly loved you all.
Curtis and Kate Terrett says
So sorry for your loss.
Patricia Houseman says
Jo and family, so sorry for your loss-you are all in my prayers
Gary Haughian and Jackie Stroh says
Jodette many condolences to you and your family with the passing of Bill. May he rest in Peace and be with the people and places he loves in heaven. God Bless You!!!
Bert & Helen Woods says
Jo and family,
So sorry for your loss.
Bill will be missed by so many. May happy memories be plentiful.
Cathy & Gary Kalmback says
Jodette & Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss! You are in our thoughts & prayers.
Denice and Bill says
Love and prayers to the family. Bill and Jo were great neighbors.
Donald Neese says
Jo and family,
So sorry to have an old friend depart us all with a few things left to get done. Always enjoyed time with Bill what ever the case, Be it hunting coyotes, elk always a great time and never a dull moment. Enjoyed working with Bill in law enforcement and had a great time working along side of him. Always fair and respectful to others. The old BHS will not be the same without Bill losing his cowboy hat. Rest well Bill !! until we meet again.
Don Neese.
Shirley A Skinner says
Jo and family
We can’t even begin to express the sorrow we feel at your loss. Tom and Bill go a long way back and their cribbage games were epic! He is going to leave a pretty big hole here on earth, but there is rejoicing in heaven.
Love, Tom and Shirley Skinner
Dawn Draine says
Coaly, Sherry and family. Sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. It’s hard to lose your dad. I remember seeing him frequently shoeing horses down by the community center.
Adam Zimmer says
Prayers for all of Bill’s Family and Friends.
Misty Fox says
I used to love waiting on Bill at the Justus. I’m sure he will be missed by all.
Justin & Charlee Kuhbacher says
We send our Deepest Sympathy to all family and friends lucky enough to know Bill…❤️
Loni Hartman says
Jo and family. Buggs and I are so very sorry for the loss of a super sweet man. Buggs always talks about the days that they were cops together. We are so heartbroken for you all. I loved visiting with him at the dentist office. We pray he is resting pain free now. God bless you all.
Deb McClaren says
Jo and Family, I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. May he rest in peace.
Faith Tallwhiteman says
So sorry to hear. Prayers and condolences for Jo and the family.
Jim and Kathy Bowers says
My heart goes out to you Jo, Coaly, and family. May God wrap his loving arms around you in this time of sorrow. Take comfort in the knowledge that Bill is out of pain and probably hunting coyotes from above.
Christie and Kent Liles says
Jo and Family,
We are sorry for the loss of your loved one.Love and Prayers.
Charlie Blevins says
Sorry for your loss. I’ve known ,Bill since we were 4 yesterday old. The family lived next to my grandparents in Shawmut. CUB scouts in Harlotown,Rita den mother.
Later in life both of us joined up at Rosebud County Sheriff’s Office for several years.
Will miss you.
Charlie and Lisa Blevins
Kurt Seward says
Sorry to hear of Bill passing on. I always looked up to Bill and respected him as a deputy sheriff and a friend. He will be missed by all. Kurt Seward former Rosebud County Sheriff.
Vanna Lancaster Byrd says
Please accept my most sincere condolences. I knew Bill through law enforcement, waitressing at the Cashway Cafe and rented from his Grandmother Scanlan in Miles City when I was in junior college. He was a great guy and lots of fun to be around.
Tammy Olson says
Jo Coaly and family, Bill will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all . Terrys gonna miss him dearly, Bill was his buddy, cribbage partner, and great friend! Prayers to you all!
Vern and Andrea Rice says
Sending our deepest condolences to the Huckins family.
Barbie Snell- OneBear says
Barbie & John says
Jo and Family,
Sorry for your loss Jo. It was always nice talking to Bill when John and I would see him around town.
Bill will be greatly missed.
Prayers to you and your family.
Diana Elwood says
Dear Jo and family, So many good memories of our years in Ashland, Bill, Chris and Bob working together as deputies and as friends. Lots of laughs around the dining room table and adventures at work. May God be with you and your family. Love and prayers.
Shirley Clark says
To Bill’s Family:
I was so sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. I used to baby sit him when his family lived in Shawmut! He
was always quite the little character! Sending love and prayers to you all….
Georggia Bement says
Prayers and hugs to all of you, I bet George and Bill are already talking about all the coyote they trapped during the years and having lots of jokes with each other they are no longer in pain just lots of rejoice with the lord .
Lynn Holland says
To Bills Family,
Sorry to hear this. Met him at the salebarn during BHS years back. Went with him
a couple of times to help him shoe some horses. Tipped a few cold ones together
over the years. A character and good man. Haven’t seen for a few years.
RIP Bill
Laura Lee and Vic Ullrich says
Sending our sympathy on the death of Bill. He was one of a kind and a truly good man. Through the PR Sheriff’s Office with him and Gary Gatlin, I often laughed until I cried! What a couple of genuine cowboys! Y prayers are with you and your family. May God wrap you all in His loving arms.
kitte Coffin says
Jo, I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I’ll keep you in prayer. – kitte
Robert L. and Roberta Bement says
Our condolences to Jo and family…I had the privilege and honor of working with Bill at Heritage Living Center when he was a driver and also as he came thru and picked up their Senior meals…He always asked about my dad and stopped to visit no matter where we ran into each other. Bill would talk about the shenanigans my dad, grampa Jesse and Uncle George pulled at the Print Shop when he stopped for coffee when he was a cop and later as a family friend. Rest in Paradise Always Bill.
Robert L. and Roberta Bement says
Our condolences to Jo and family…I had the privilege and honor of working with Bill at Heritage Living Center when he was a driver and also as he came thru and picked up their Senior meals…He always asked about my dad and stopped to visit no matter where we ran into each other. Bill would talk about the shenanigans my Dad, Grampa Jesse and Uncle George pulled at the Print Shop when he stopped for coffee as a cop and later as a family friend…sure gonna miss visiting with you and hearing your comical stories. Rest Easy Buddy.
Della Ahearn says
So sorry for your loss Jo, in my thoughts and pray, wonderful person, loves listen to his stories
Michael Speelman and Family says
Prayers and Condolences to you all.
Martin and Roban ( Philbrick)Bunting says
Ooh lm soo sad to hear of Bills passing! I thought he was invincible! He was like a Cowboy western hero to me! I first met Bill when my step father Newell Philbrick called him out to the ranch on Rosebud Creek.I had moved back to Montana to be closer to my grandparents.We were having shoes put on a few horses to be ready to ride for brandings! I was so impressed with his horsemanship and farrier skills l called him for all my horses.We show young reining horses and he kept them sound and moving correctly! He showed me how to work with a stud that did not want to stand still for hoof trims! He also diagnosed 2 lame horses that a Vet could not figure out and wanted to do leg surgery on! Bill knew immediately that it was an abcess.They were white stocking legged horses that had been barefoot for the summer and it had reached temps of 103° The dirt got so hot it created an abcess.With shoes on,it kept the feet off the dirt and they were fine! He told me he knew that because he had done farrier work in Arizona and that was a common problem in the desert! He was amazing! One day that really stands out though was the day of 9/ 11 . Bill was out early that morning,he had got a couple trims done and Mom had a fresh pot of coffee.She said come take a break.They had a small wall television on in the kitchen. All of a sudden it was announced the U.S. was possibly under attack !! OMG we were riveted in shock watching as planes crashed through the twin towers!! Bill was deeply concerned as one of his sons was in the military at that point. He was so proud of his boys!! He stayed and we all watched in horror as hundreds of people died…We went back out finished the last horse then he headed home to wait for more details.Bill loved his country and was a true Patriot. We have some amazing memories of Bills stories,and will pass on the horsemanship tips that he shared…
Pat and Sandy Anderson says
Jo and family, we’re so sorry for your loss .We’ll keep you all in our thoughts and prayers;
gary a ryder says
Bill did a great job as a deputy for Rosebud County in the Ashland area, Sorry to hear of his passing.
Terry Hulford says
My deepest sympathy and love to Jo, Coaly, Turk and your family. I will really miss my cousin Bill, he was an exceptional person. May the Lord comfort all of you and hold you close at this time of loss.
Cindy Stanton (Williams) says
I’m sorry to read of Bill’s passing. He was always interesting to visit with and usually made me laugh with some story of his past shenanigans.
Karson and Marie Kluver says
Bill’s family’ He was definitely old school , and proud of his family. Ride easy Bill. Karson and Marie Kluver
Randy & Aletta Shannon says
Sending sincere sympathy to all the family!!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Suzanne Trusler Sr. says
Jo,
My deepest sympathy to you and the family. I was so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Every time I saw Bill, he was always smiling or laughing and wanting to visit for a minute. He sure enjoyed my homemade cookies when we were shipping. He definitely was a ray of sunshine.
Phillip Huckins says
Condolences to Jo, Coaly, Turk and all of Bill’s family. Bill and I shared a lot of memories together going back to when he was growing up in Billings when Ben was Eastern District Supervisor for the Montana Department of Livestock. I was just out of college when I went to work for the MD of L in Billings and Bill was around BLS and PAYS quite often. We kind had a family tie back then but I got transferred to Helena for the 1970 brand re-record and our lives took different paths. We reconnected later on in the ‘80s’ when Bill’s work in law enforcement and love for horse shoeing brought him to eastern Montana. Ben, Bill, and I (along with several other acquaintances) gathered together for several years on hunting trips to Hell’s-A-Roaring out of Gardiner. Bill and I would often reminisce about those trips filled with adventure and the usual wrecks that are inevitable.
Bill, I hope we meet again someday at hunting camp! God Bless You!
Marty Clark says
Bill was a one of a kind, have lots of memories from the time I spent with wild Bill tell we meet in heaven keep the whisky and cribbage board close. God bless? Marty Clark
Julie Maldonado says
My condolences to the family. I live 38 miles from Ashland and didn’t know of his passing. Prayers to his wife and family