William “Bill” Sept, age 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 31, 2022 at McCone County Health Center. Bill was born November 9, 1934. The son of George and Mary Sept. He lived his whole life in the Watkins community near Brockway, MT.
Bills first language was German and had many laughs with his German speaking friends. To his family, the most comical was the use of sign language only a farmer, hired hand or occasionally a wife, could understand.
On December 27, 1957, he married Reba Merry. They were married 62 years. Bill took over the family farm after his dad took ill and managed numerous farms in the Watkins area. He owned and operated a long-haul trucking business, worked on the Brockway elevator, worked for Bonds Cash Market, had a school bus contract for 16 years and also a mail carrier contract.
Bill also served on the PCA Advisory Board, the Farmers Union Oil Co. Board, ASCS Committee and the Beery School Board.
Bill had a natural talent and played the piano, organ, and accordion. He loved playing with Swede and Ester Hedstrom and Erwin and Thelma Gackle in Brockway. In his later years, when we’d get together for Christmas, the grandkids would ask him to play them a tune on the accordion.
Bill loved the farming/ranching way of life and passed that on down to his children. Bill and Reba moved into Circle the summer of 2006. There they made their second home. Dad visited the farm often as his love for the farm and desire to be part of the daily operation was hard to give up. Mom devoted her time mostly to create a new wonder of art in her yard. She grew the most spectacular flowers that even dad commented on. Dad also loved the sport of snowmobiling, racing them, which he had many trophies. He had his fast machine and his slower machine, that one was for the kids to ride. He also loved hunting down coyotes and just pleasure riding as he took many trips with friends to West Yellowstone. He used them to feed the cows when the snow was too deep.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Sept; his wife Reba in 2019; sister Edna Gackle; brothers Harold and Herb Sept; and infant daughter Debra.
He is survived by his children June (Chuck) Geer, Sue (Vernon) French, Larry Sept, Jana (Bob) Wilson and Angie (Bryce) Thompson. One grandson Nathanial Wilson; granddaughters Nichole (Sam Graves) Sikveland, Brenda (Rod Smith) Geer, Justina (Nate) Tuttle, Billie (Kane) Mury, Pamela Richardson, and Ashley Gosnell; great grandchildren, Tristan (Alissa) Sikveland, Beau Sikveland, Hayden, Austyn and Britton Lockie, Natalie, Taylor and Tucker Mury, Grady, Jacee, Emry and Hiram Richardson. He was also thrilled to have become a great-great grandpa to Kolt Jack Sikveland.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Circle Evangelical Church in Circle, MT. A reception will follow the funeral service in the church basement prior to the burial. Interment will follow at Brockway Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Monday February 7, 2022
Circle Evangelical Church
300 B Ave
Circle, Montana 59215
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Monday February 7, 2022
Brockway Cemetery
Brockway, Montana 59215
Share
Mary Kasten Grube says
June, Sue, Larry, Jana, Angie and families:
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and peace in Christ. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Joyce (Langemo) Camper says
Sad to see another great friend and neighbor who shared fence lines with my family gone. Billy and Reba will be forever young in my memories, the coolest couple in a cool car right out of America Graffiti.
Lana Hovland says
I’ve known this wonderful family for many years. I am so sorry for the loss of Bill, he was a great man. I was a close friend of June’s in my younger years. Bill drove the school bus when I was going to grade and high school., Bill was always nice to me (or put up with me) and had a great laugh. Bill will be missed by all that knew him. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Kathy Aakre-Ruddy says
To June, Sue, Larry, Jana, Angie and spouses – my heart-felt condolences on the loss of your Dad. Reba and Bill were such good people and always were uplifting to those who knew them. Be at peace knowing they are together now and watching over you. They did such a wonderful job raising such good kids and I know they were proud of all of you.
Debbie (Bond) Wagner says
So sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. Many memories of Bill and your family while growing up in Brockway. My thoughts and prayers to your family during this difficult time.
Shirley Heitz says
So sorry for all the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Greg Berger says
To the Bill Sept family,
My sincerest condolences go out to each and everyone of you at this difficult time. Bill was an active member of Brockway/Circle throughout my growing up and I remember him being quick witted which was always good for a smile or a laugh. His legacy lives in each one of you kids and it shows with your passion for family and success. He will be missed by all that had the privilege of meeting him. If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Roscoe&Sharon Schmidt says
Our condolences to the families of Bill
Michele says
I am so sorry for your loss. Heaven has gained another Great Angel. I have many memories of Bill from when I was younger and I stayed with Angie often. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you will find peace in knowing he is in heaven now with so many loved ones. God bless you all. Time will mend your broken hearts
Dorrie Beach says
June, Sue, Larry, Jana, Angie and family, so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a wonderful man and I have many memories from my youth that include him. The Brockway community has lost another one of their beloved citizens and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. May your many memories of him give you comfort.
Sheri and Dick Kurtz says
So sorry for your loss. Billy and Reba were good people and neighbors. We will cherish our memories with them.
Hugs to all.
Cindy Stanton says
I’m so sorry for the loss of Bill. He & Reba were such nice people. May you all be blessed with your wonderful memories.
Kimberly Craig says
To all ,
Watched the service online , it was a beautiful tribute to your father , grandfather and my Uncle Bill . Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Marzene V Bustos says
Cousin June, Sue, Larry, Jana, Angie and families. My sincere condolences. Uncle Billy was a great uncle. Had a lot
great memories and wonderful times down at the farm home place. I will treasure all of those memories. My love and prayers to you all. I am thankful that I got to see the service online and being able to see you all. In my prayers always. My love to you all.
Bradley Craig says
All family and friends,
I hope an abundance of great memories of Bill fill your thoughts in the days ahead. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for posting both the service and the photos online.
june geer says
Thank you for all the kind words and memories you shared. The funeral was beautiful due to Stevenson and Sons doing a spectacular job, and Pastor Steve Strutz. His message of Dad’s life couldn’t have been relayed better, due to the fact he didn’t know dad. Just meeting with and collecting information prior to funeral, I’m sure dad was smiling because there was laughter yesterday, and for that we were glad. Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers. THE SEPT FAMILY♥️