William Curry
William C. Curry was born on Oct. 6, 1946, in Kirkland, Wash., “to be close to his parents.” That’s how he would tongue-in-cheek phrase it.
He grew up on a 20-acre farm north of Redmond, Wash. There he experienced rural life to its fullest and loved his family, extended family and neighbors.
He is preceded in death by Von and Marian Curry — his parents; younger brother, Jeff; and Bill’s granddaughter, Josephine. He is survived by his wife, Sue, and their children: Anne McBee, James, John, Robert and Jack Curry with their spouses; and 15 grandchildren w/spouses; also his two sisters, Sharon Wolf and Susan Coffin, their husbands Lonny and Ned, and their children; sister-in-law, Natalie Williams and many, many relatives.
Family was dear to Bill’s heart, and throughout his life he maintained relationships/friendships with a host of people.
After graduating from Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Wash., he “got” to tour Vietnam courtesy of the U.S. Army, where he served as a chaplain’s assistant playing the organ. Often at night he drove a colonel to outlying sites to check on the troops. When he returned he completed two years of college, but quit during his third year.
He lived in Washington and married Sue Barrie. They were married 48 years last June and had five children. In 1991 he moved his family to Dillon, Mont. Other places he lived since include: Belgrade, Mont.; Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; and Plains, Mont..
He played the tuba in high school, and loved listening to old songs from the ‘30s and ‘40s, which he played on the organ and piano. Another past-time was watching early films and old westerns; John Wayne being his favorite actor. Bill always said the quintessential Western was the movie “Shane.”
He was a lover of the great outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. He taught children and grandchildren to both hunt and fish. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sports, and playing cribbage with them and many friends. Along with others, he and Sue helped teach the second-graders cribbage the past two years in Plains to help improve students’ math skills.
Bill had an eclectic employment history: custom farming in western Washington; school bus driver; later a dispatcher for the Lake, Wash., School District.; hodcarrier; brick and stone mason; chimney sweep; general contractor; potato harvester; fuel deliverer; later manager of the fuel division for Cenex in Dillon; and in Hawaii he was a night stocker for Walmart, to list a few…
Bill’s Christian Faith was very important to him; he was raised in the Methodist Church where he played the organ and helped with the youth group; he surrendered his life to Jesus in 1978 and he wanted his friends and family to share this love for Jesus. He was involved in practical ministry, supplying wood to those in need with other brothers from the church and led a Life Group in his home.
In later years, in part due to a bout of cancer w/surgery and heart attack, he became more determined in sharing his faith with others. He would often say, “Check your back-trail. If God brings someone to mind, tell them of Jesus; the time is short, don’t leave people behind.”
“I’ll be Home for Christmas” was fulfilled when Bill went to his eternal home on Christmas Day 2018 to be with his Savior, Jesus. We love you Bill and can’t wait to see you again.
Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Plains Bible Chapel with reception following at Plains Alliance Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations “In Memory of Bill Curry” may be sent to: Reflections Academy, P.O. Box 1713, Thompson Falls MT 59873 or Plains Alliance Church, Benevolence Fund, P.O. Box 368, Plains MT 59859.