Willis “Willie” G. McLees

Willis “Willie” G. McLees, 85, was born March 8, 1936, and died Aug. 21, 2021.

McLees was born in Logan, Montana, to Phylliss (Weaver) and John McLees.

He went to school, was raised, and worked around Manhattan, Montana, with his two brothers, Kenny and Morris. Willie was in the Army from 1954 to 1957.

After coming home, he worked on the railroad for two years, then in the Charlie Bennet Sawmill in St. Regis. He worked in Missoula at Roscoe Steel, drove semi over the road for 11 years and logging truck for eight years before working at the Superior sawmill as a boilerman until the mill closed in 1994.

He and his first wife, Rosalie Herron, had three sons, Ron, Rick, and Jason. Later, Willie married Susan Gildersleeve Baker on Aug. 12, 1989 in Superior.

He inherited two daughters and seven grandchildren. Willie

and Sue spent 32 beautiful years together. He was a kind and caring person who didn’t sweat the small stuff but was only concerned with the things that really mattered – like his family and friends.

One of his favorite past-times was to support local youth sports and events. You could always find him at the ball field or on the sidelines in the gym. He enjoyed telling the kids, “Good game!” and maybe giving them a hard time every now and again.

At one time, he was honored with a plaque in appreciation for his support at a football game. If you couldn’t find Willie at the field or in the gym, he was most likely at the golf course enjoying a round with his family or friends. His ability to count strokes accurately improved with age.

He is survived by his wife Sue, sons Ron, Rick and Jason, stepdaughters Debra Brockett and Nancy Johnson, grandchildren Tucker, Carter, twins Chance and Colin, Amanda, Jill, Crystal, Zach, Jesse, Chris, Jake and Tim, brothers Morris and Kenny and several great grandchildren, cousins, aunts and uncles.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.