Albert Jess Wareham

Albert Jess Wareham, 85, of Billings, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, after a battle with dementia. Albert was born to Jess and Alma Wareham on June 22, 1953, in Lewistown. Albert was the fifth child of nine. His dad Jess worked many different jobs from lumbers, Butte Mine, Air Force Base in great Falls to a taxi driver to support his family. Albert was born and raised in Montana and never wanted to go anywhere else but Montana! Our dad was everyone's protector. If you got him angry or mad, you better watch out - you got the bull by the horns! Dad found his first love with Terry Smith. He only had eyes for her. They were high school sweethearts. She was a junior and he was a senior. They got married in1950 and, when Dad graduated from Jefferson High School in 1951, his firstborn son Christopher was in the crowd with his beautiful wife. Albert was the first Wareham to graduate from high school. With his union with Theresa, they had five more children, all boys: Walter Jay, Albert Jess Jr., Fredrick, Jon and Eric. As life goes on, life sent them in different directions. They parted ways, but always loving her, for she was the mother and first love of his heart and his children. When he was a senior in high school, he started to work for Old Great Northern Railroad, then it merged with Great Burlington Northern Railways. He worked and drove for them until he retired. His one passion, next to his family, was his love for hunting and fishing. Dad would let the boys miss school to go hunting together. There are at least 200 different hunting and fishing stories, tales and pictures. As time went by and life changed for them all, Albert met a strong-willed woman that he hoped would be the woman he would love forever named Roberta Volz at the Beacon bar in Great Falls and, after some time, he decided he would ask her to marry him. She said yes! The Real Brady Bunch became reality. He had six sons and she had three daughters. They married on Dec. 23, 1967. From this union, he asked Roberta could she have more children. She said nine was enough, but somehow, he convinced Roberta to try once more, and, on April 7, 1969, they were surprised to see they got their girl. Family is our dad's greatest legacy. He taught us how to be honest, loving, giving and upstanding, and have a great love and understanding for God and His teachings. To always have faith and hope, for there is always a reason and plan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alma and Jess Wareham; his siblings, David, Joyce, Richard, Lillian Faddy, Jessie (Naomi) and Robby; stepdaughter Charmaine Cantwell; Theresa; and his loving wife Roberta, whom he will get to see and catch up with in heaven. Albert is survived by his seven children, Chris and Carolyn Wareham of Butte, Walter and Terry Wareham of Canyon Creek, Albert Jess Wareham Jr. of Boulder, Fred and Nancy Wareham of Gig Harbor, Washington, Jon and Beth Wareham of Manet Island, Florida, Eric and Katie Wareham of Boulder, and Kimberly and Rollin Ficek of Billings; two stepdaughters, Mischelle Volz of Anacortes, Washington, and Roxann and Ken Sanders of Oklahoma; He loved each of his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they were his pride and joy. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and extended family. He loved all of us in a special way. Funeral services will be 1pm Friday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Graveside services will be 1pm Saturday in Boulder. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Albert Jess Wareham.