Willis Aye

Visitation: will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City, MT

Funeral services: will be held on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 1:00 pm at the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Miles City, MT

Interment: will follow at the Custer County Cemetery

Willis F. Aye, of Miles City, passed away at his home on October 19, 2004 at the age of 92.

Willis was born on November 14, 1911 in Alpena, South Dakota, the son of John A. and Margrette M. Aye. At a young age the family moved to Powder River County and homesteaded at Epsie, west of Broadus. He went to school in Epsie and graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City.

Willis attended Polytechnic College in Billings. In 1934, he married Margaret Newton and to this union three children were born; Earl, Fred and Peggy. He was a rancher in the Broadus and Ekalaka area for many years and in the 1950s, he worked for his father in the Black Hills, which he truly loved. In 1959, he married Lona Broadbrooks. He became a father again with Bret in 1960 and Aaron in 1965. Willis had many wonderful traits, not

being a loud or boisterous man, he would speak his piece and then go on about his business. Willis loved ranching and gold mining and could bid with the best of them at an auction. His passion for farming was evident in the several farms he owned over the years, and at the age of 85 he decided to raise sheep. Willis worked in his greenhouse daily and was proud of his orchard of fruit trees and grapes. His most prized possession was his orange tree and he would treat family and friends to ripe oranges at Christmas time. Willis was an accomplished businessman and real estate developer who never left a road untraveled. He raised and sold trees for many years and ran the Woodbury Grocery Store in the early 40s. He built a snowmobile Lodge at Burno Gulch in Spearfish, S.D. in the early 70s and built water tanks in his woodshop. Willis built several homes and cabins in Miles City, Fort Peck and the Black Hills and belonged to the Yellowstone Rock Club and Elks Club in Miles City. He was always a helping hand at the many projects that his family had. Willis had a life long love for prospecting in the BlackHills and loved to go fishing. He was also well known for his water witching.

Willis is survived by his wifeLona B., sons: Bret and his wife Tanna, Aaron of Miles City and Earl and his wife Betty of Epsie, daughters Peggy Horvath and husband Steve of Powell, WY and Kathy Aye of the family home, three sisters; Clara Anderson and Glada Abel of Miles City and Arla Green of Carmel, CA, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Lester and sister Faye Hughes, son Fred and granddaughter Kay.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 1:00 pm at the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow at the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. If desired, memorials may be made to the Holy Rosary Hospice; 2600 Wilson, Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one's choice. Condolences may be made by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.