Procession honors tow truck driver

A procession of nearly 30 emergency vehicles, tow trucks, semis, pickup trucks and cars made their way down Interstate 90 on Saturday, Oct. 6, to honor William Mellen who passed away from a heart attack on Sept. 14.

Mellon was born in Wallace, Idaho and spent his career driving up and down the west end of Mineral County towing vehicles stranded on Interstate 90 in all kinds of weather. He owned and operated two towing businesses; West End Towing and Recovery, and Big Sky Towing.

“Towing wasn’t just his job or a way to make a living. It was his passion. He loved the challenge and the thrill of it,” his obituary explained.

He was also a volunteer fire fighter and a board member of the West End Volunteer Fire Department. Members of the West-End Fire Department, Superior Fire, and the St. Regis Volunteer Fire Department drove fire trucks and emergency vehicles, along-side tow trucks from his businesses, and other towing businesses including Sunset Reliable Towing from Idaho; Jims Bobcat Service; Nickerson’s 24-Hour Towing and others east down I-90.

A group of Mellon’s family and friends met at the Lookout Ski area which borders Montana and Idaho on a cold morning with sleet pouring down. Escorted by highway patrol they made their way down the pass to Superior where services were held at the Superior Community Church.

Mellon leaves behind a large family and numerous friends who expressed his loss before the procession began.

His current partner, Erin Brown, said Mellon would have really liked what they were doing for him that day.

“I went to school with him and we worked wrecks together for 17 years. He was a successful businessman and he was just a good guy,” said Shaun Thomas from Hayden Idaho.

His sons will continue to run his businesses located in Haugan.