William R. (Spud) Bibeau, age 83, of Jordan, MT passed away on March 5, 2019 at the Garfield County Health Center in Jordan.
Bill was born in Malta, Montana on May 30, 1935 to Ray and Mae (Hardin) Bibeau. He grew up and attended schools in Malta and the surrounding areas, wherever his mother was teaching school at the time, and graduated from high school in Lewistown. Spud married Gail Young in 1955 and they had three children: Tanna, Mark, and Mike. They divorced in 1977. In the 1960’s Bill went back to school and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. From then on he was our “bug guy”. He worked doing auto body repair for the Pioneer Garage and others before eventually starting “Bill’s Auto Body” where he taught Mark the trade as well. He was married
for a short time to Mardella (Marty) Bibeau. He was then married to Illa Gibson Bibeau for 9 years and was a father figure to her three children: Stacey, Jeannie, and Cody. He and Glenda Reynolds shared a very special bond for many years as well.
Bill enjoyed owning and running the show house (Rio Theater) in Jordan in the mid 70’s and really enjoyed a good movie. Sometimes he would have a midnight showing.
He was most comfortable outdoors, especially to hunt and fish and pick berries. He made thoughtful gestures by delivering fish or berries to people who were unable to get them themselves. He also delivered minnows to Hell Creek Marina and Kibler Outfitting. He knew his fish!
When he was more confined to the indoors, he enjoyed watching game shows, Larry’s Country Diner, and Molly B’s Polka Party on TV or playing solitare against two very special ladies over the computer. It gave him pleasure to tend to his 13 outdoor cats.
Bill will probably be most remembered for his ability to tell jokes. He carried a “joke book” in his shirt pocket until one of his wives washed it. He loved to visit with people. If he gave you a nickname, consider yourself one of the special people in his life.
Bill had a good time travelling with Jerry Hensleigh or Dean and Tanna to Will and Katies sporting events. He never missed watching Johnna in the Christmas programs at Sand Springs. He enjoyed sharing fishing stories with Dylan and Kaden and talking with Kolton about his pet rubber boa snake. He just plain got a “kick” out of Addison and Kyron.
Spud is survived by his daughter, Tanna (Dean) Rogge of Sand Springs, MT; his grandkids: Tonya(Kevin) South of Bainville, MT, Denver Hensleigh of Miles City, MT, Johnna (Blase) Roskelley of Miles City, MT, and Ashley Ryan of Rio Rancho, NM: great grandkids : William South, Katie South, Dylan Butler, Kolton Hensleigh, Kaden Hensleigh, Addison Roskelley, Kyron Roskelley, Vera Samario, Sylis Samario, and Sheila Samario; Brother Richard (Dick) and Coley Bibeau of Fort Mohave, AZ, and nieces Dalene Hicks, and Babby Skowyra. He was preceded in death by both sons: Mike in 1996 and Mark in 2017, ex-wives Gail Bibeau Ady and Illa Bibeau and step daughter Jeannie Gibson Coldwell.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 18, 2019 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral home in Jordan with family receiving friends from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Jordan. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Pioneer Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire memorials may be made to the Garfield County Health Center, the Garfield County Search and Rescue or to the Jordan swimming pool.
Service Schedule
Visitation
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 18, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Main Street
Jordan, Montana 59337
Service Schedule
Visitation
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 18, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Main Street
Jordan, Montana 59337
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Karen Barnes says
Tanna and all of Bill’s family – please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of my old friend “Billy Boy” – will always remember meeting him wherever and his big booming Hello Ma Barnes, how the heck are you? Spent time fishing with his family, playing cards and just visiting in the good old days – he will be remembered by all who knew him. May all your good memories be a comfort to you in your sorrow.
Bill & Madonna Ryans says
It was always fun to visit with Bibeau, we will miss him dearly
Connie Blonigen says
I’m sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. My condolenes to his family.
Debbie Weyer says
My deepest condolences Tanna & family. “DEATH leaves a heartache no one can heal, LOVE leaves a memory no one can steal” author unknown. May God wrap his loving arms around you & your family at this difficult time.
Shelby Byrd says
I am so sorry for your loss Tanna and family. I remember so many good times with your dad when we came to visit. He was always so friendly and happy. Those were some of my best childhood memories. All my love and prayers for you all.
Mary Beth & Myron Kibler says
Dear Tanna, all of Bill’s family and those so very close to him. I’ve been thinking of Bill so much these last few days and the wonderful picture you chose of him here is the smile I’ll always remember. I’m not sure how you sum up a great friend like Bill, except that he gave more to his friends than he took, he had that wonderful sense of humor and was honest to the core. Bill supplied us with Minnows way before we got into the fishing business and was super reliable. If the whole batch died, he’d make sure you had enough for the next day, regardless of how long it took and how many miles he had to put on to do it. We’re so gonna miss him. So many stories come to mind!
He had a whole string of jokes..I remember a year or so ago when he was in the hospital in Billings and I stopped to visit him, he kept them coming one after another so I’d stay and visit just a little longer. I am so glad I got to visit with him recently on Feb. 18th and see him still so spunky and determined…he still believed he could do anything he wanted to do, even though his nurses disagreed with him. When I left him that day I asked him, “If you see Jesus before I do, would you put in a good word for me?” And you know he did…he’ll do that for all of us. So my friend, until I join you in Heaven & we meet again, RIP!
Karen L Taylor says
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you Johnna, Tanna and all of Bill’s friends and family. He was one super sweet man and a good friend to my Dad. He is now visiting the rest of his family in Heaven and you will see him again someday but for now I know how hard it is to lose someone so special. Sending Hugs to all of you. Karen, Clay and Family
Jo Ryan says
Tanna Dean and Family, So sorry for your loss. I didn’t realize your Dad was ill. Treasure the memories.
I know it is hard to lose a Dad.
Roxie and Bruce Burrows says
Our sincere condolences to Tanna and the entire family. Was always fun chatting with him! I don’t think he ever forgot a face. Hugs and Prayers!!
Ken Minow says
To Tanna,Dean and Family:So sorry to hear about Bill’s passing.I always appreciated his positive outlook and attitude when we would visit.So sorry for your loss and my sincerest condolences to the family.
Jana Olson says
Bill and I knew each other as “Fluf” and “Fats” for over 40 years. He started calling me “Fats” when I was pregnant with Brady, so I started calling him “Fluf.” I walked into the Hell Creek Bar one day and Bill and Mark were sitting at the bar. Bill hollered “Hi Fats” when I walked in, and I replied, “Hi Fluf.” Mark looked at me and asked why I called him “Fluf.” I told him the it stood for Fat-Little-Ugly-Fella. Tanna and families, I offer my condolences. Bill was a treasured friend.
Phil and Darlene says
Condolences to Tanna and all of Bills Family Bill was a Forever Friend He and Phil Had many good times Ice fishing He especially liked it when he could sit in the cab of the Red pickup with the heater on. He always had a Big smile when I Would say Fish for supper tonight Bill and would say Sounds Good Cookie. He will be missed by all who knew him . Love and Prayers for all.
Nola Dahlen says
I never met “SpudNut” but played computer solitaire with him daily for a few years now. I always enjoyed his sense of humor and barbed comments. I will miss his challenges, weather reports, fishing stories, and general comments and conversations. God bless his memory!
Bud Tuss says
Dick and family. Please accept our condolences and sorry to hear about Spud.
Francie Fontaine Riemann says
Oh, what a friend Bill was to us! My husband and Bill met over coffee at college (EMC, now MSU-Billimgs,) and also may have shared a beer or two together. Memories of hunting abound. “Flying” trips down the highway to Billings to Wong Villagw for pressed duck at 3am. The two men, two wives (one pregnant) and two little kids (perhaps Mark along with my 18 month old daughter) drove to Lewistown to check out a concrete boat (yes, it’s true) to fish Fort Pck commercially for Carp (same as Gefilte fish for the Jewish community) to sell back east! Upon arriving in Lewistown, the guy with the boat was no where to be found. (Perhaps call ahead?) The most logical thing was to grab a burger and drive over to Jordan for a drink. It was hotter than hell and no AC! There’s no such thing as “A” drink! The pregnant woman (me) watched the two little kids. We were there until some time after midnight. And, down the highway we flew to Wong village! This was the summer of 1969! Irritating then, hysterical now! Bill was beloved ny so many people I know! Perhaps he and Curt can have a time sharing jokes in the great beyond! Curt thought the world of his friend, Bill Bibeau! God bless his memory! My sympathy to his family and the worl that loved him!
Harold G. Mallo says
Condolences & sorry for your loss. Bill was a good man. He was a excellent fishman & hunter, you could always count on Bill getting the big one. Although, I was born & raised in Montana, when I came to Jordan from California Bill pinned the name “Prune Picker ” on me. Bill, had a excellent sense of humor & he will be missed. Thoughts & Prayers to the family.
DJ & Gloria Rath Milroy says
Condolences and prayers with all of Bill’s family. He was certainly a special person and will be fondly remembered and missed by many.
Pat LaMoure says
Condolence and Prayers Tanna and family. He was a very special friend to Buster and I. Will always remember his and Buster’s stories. His big smile and hugs will be greatly missed.
Cindy Stanton says
Dear TR and family,
I’m sorry that I’m just now learning of your loss. Thru my tears there are giggles of so many fun stories of your dad. Bill’s friendships were multi-generational. My dad “Injun” , loved him. My oldest son took some of his very first fishing and boating trips with Bill & my folks on Hell Creek. They were buddies right away. I won’t share the funniest story of those times here.
I remember the very first time I ever met Bill and an ensuing 2 family road trip to Lewistown and driving thru the Dash Inn for burgers. Bill made everything fun.
I know my dad was glad to see Bill when he arrived in Heaven and I know there’s lots of fishing and stories being told.
I’m so sorry for your loss. God bless you all.