William Frank “Bill” Shumway of Miles City joined his parents and older brothers on February 24, 2019 after a lengthy illness.
Bill was born in Wolf Point, Montana to George Herman and Pearl Elizabeth (Jones) Shumway. Bill’s mother referred to him as the “oldest of the last six” of twelve children. Bill grew up in Wolf Point and graduated from high school in 1966. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served four years, several of those years in Vietnam. While hitchhiking home to Montana, Bill stopped in Ogallala, Nebraska. He met Rhonda Stephens and the two were married on October 20, 1973. Their marriage continued until Bill’s death. The couple raised three children while Bill worked as a feedlot manager, bar/restaurant owner and oil field roughneck. An oilfield injury put Bill on a new career path. He graduated from Eastern Montana College in 1990 and embarked on a 15-year journey of assisting children and their parents in making changes. Bill retired in 2005 and spent his remaining years going to coffee with his buddies, woodworking, eating ice cream, watching the PBR and old westerns, and camping with his family.
Bill is survived by his wife, Rhonda; children: Brandy (Aaron) Leischner of Miles City; Jeremiah (Christine) Shumway of Charleston, SC; and Stormy Jensen of Miles City. Bill loved his grandchildren: Draven Winkley, Arie, Aurora and Adlai Leischner, Zoey and Will Shumway and Reygen Jensen. He is also survived by sisters: Sharon Atkins of Miles City; Donna Kellum of Miles City; Lacey Cortez of Texas; Ann Hagemeister of Miles City and Joy (Joe) Welch of Shepard, MT; his brothers: Robert (Linda) Shumway of Wolf Point; Scott (Ana) Shumway of Jacksonville, FL and Jeff (Yvonne) Shumway of Castle Rock, CO; two special sisters-in-law: Gena Shumway of California and Joyce Shumway of Miles City; as well as two brothers-in-law: Randy Stephens of Colorado and Stearn (Jenn) Brown of Nebraska; uncles: Herman (Marlene) Shumway of Wolf Point and Jack (Barb) Shumway of Bozeman; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Bill will be sorely missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Charles, Lloyd and George along with his mother-in-law Blondena Brown.
At Bill’s request, no services are planned. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Miles City Soup Kitchen or the charity or organization of your choice.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Terri Fandrich says
Oh Rhonda, I am so very sorry for your loss. Wrapping you up in prayers of comfort and strength.
Carolyn says
Rhonda, my condolences to you and your family.
Prayers of comfort.
Carolyn says
Rhonda,
My condolences to you and your family.
Sending prayers of comfort at this time of loss.
Kathy Leischner says
Rhonda, Brandy, Jeremiah, Stormy and families-We were sad to hear of Bill’s passing. We have many memories of shared holidays and grandkids activities with Bill over the years. Bill will be missed. May you smile over the sweet memories and may God comfort you in the pain of your loss.
Jeanne Vetch says
Rhonda, I am so sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of you and your family.
Cindy and Tom Erickson says
Rhonda and family – we are so sorry for your loss! You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Please take care of you!
Pam Beardsley says
Stormy and family, I am very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and strength in the Lord in the days ahead.
Sandy McFarland-Hays says
Rhonda and Family, Sending many prayers your way during this difficult time.
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Rhonda, praying for you in this time of loss and grieving.
Kim Smarsh says
Dear Rhonda and families—my deepest and warmest sympathy to you on the passing of Bill. May God hold you in the palm of his hand. My prayers for comfort to all of you.
Diana Stieg says
Rhonda and family, so sorry to hear of your loss please know my prayers are with your whole family.
Raylynn Sleight says
Dearest Rhonda- My deepest condolences during your time of grieving. I hope you can feel peace and love in the coming days.
Frances Whitney says
Rhonda my heart hurts for you and the family. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
I have such fond camping memories of our times together.
Meg Hernandez says
Rhonda and Family, I am so sorry to hear about Bill. Just know that you are in my thoughts and Prayers.
RIP Bill
Walt Lloyd says
Rhonda and family I was surprised to hear of Bill’s passing. I will remember the trips to Medora and our many meals outside and at Mexico Lindos.
Remember the good times as I know you had many.
Walt
Walt Lloyd says
Rhonda I am sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I am praying for you and your family.
I sure enjoyed our trips to Medora, and the many meals we enjoyed in Miles City.
Walt
Denise Harvey says
My condolences to all of you. May you find peace in cherished memories.
Denise Harvey
Charlie &Kathy Beauchot says
Rhonda, you and your family are in our thoughts during this difficult time. I’m glad Bill is no longer in pain. Hopefully, knowing that, you’ll go forward with a heart full of memories and the comfort of the family you and Bill created together.
Vickie L Malone says
Rhonda I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Sending prayers for you and your family. I am glad I got to see you both and share some memories .
Sharon Kearnes says
Rhonda and family,
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. My condolences to you for your family for your loss.
Larry Grant says
Rhonda, I certainly miss Bill already. Those last few phone calls in the past month of his life are especially memorable. We wish the best to you, Rhonda.
With warm regards, Larry and Janelle
Gail Johnson says
Dear Rhonda,
I have thought of you many times, since our days at MSU. I’m so sorry we lost touch. I guess we had both moved. I googled your name today, and your dear Husband’s name , and Obituary came up. I am so sorry for your loss. At this High, and Holy time of Easter, our Lord is close, and will hear our Prayers, for your dear one. God Bless you all, and may the Angels hold you safe, and close to their hearts. Get in touch when you feel up to it.
Gail Johnson 💕