James “Jim” Samuel Weatherwax

James "Jim" Samuel Weatherwax, 81, of Billings, formerly of Pompeys Pillar, passed in peace on the morning of Oct. 9, 2015, in his residence at Grand Park, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to the late Conrad and Nancy Pearl (Weathers) on March 21, 1934, in Lodge Pole, Neb.

Jim attended high school in Lisco, Neb.; Douglas, Wyo.; and Huntsville, Ala. But the classroom couldn't hold his attention, so he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, where he achieved the rank of Third Class Petty Officer as a metal worker. While stationed in Pensacola, Fla., he met a lively southern belle who did hold his attention. He married Eleanor Weeks shortly thereafter in Bay Minette, Ala., on July 4, 1953, and the fireworks continued for 60 years. Over the following 14 years, Jim and Eleanor moved around quite a bit and in the process had six children. The first was born in Pensacola, Fla., and the sixth in Douglas, Wyo.

The family settled in Billings in 1968, where Jim completed his high school education and enrolled at Eastern Montana College. Again, the classroom did not prove a good fit for him, but he developed a great respect for higher education that he passed on to his children. He took great pride in the fact that all six of his children (with his unwavering insistence) completed post-secondary degrees, five at the same institution he attended himself.

Jim was a Jack of many trades and succeeded in mastering quite a few. With no interest in having a boss (other than Eleanor), he was self-employed for most of his professional life. He was very resourceful, always managing to "make a lick" and provide for his family. In 1978, Eleanor and Jim built their country dream home by a spring-fed creek nestled in a grove of trees at Pompeys Pillar. In 2011, they moved back to town to be closer to family.

Jim was an avid reader who challenged his children to keep him stocked with reading material until the very end. He had an inquisitive mind, never stopped learning, and was endlessly fascinated by many things that he would happily share with anyone who had the time for a visit.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; his brother, Doug; and his parents. He is survived by his six children, Nancy (LaVern) Petersen of Billings, Jeannie Jones of Billings, Jamie (Richard) Horton of Sun City West, Ariz., Connie (Kelly) Duneman of Billings, Sharon (Ben) Ripley of Billings and William "Bill" (Liz) Weatherwax of Billings; his son-in-law Paul Jones of Billings; his six grandchildren, Michael Marsac, Murrell Jardine, Ryan McPherson, Megan Ostlund, Madison Duneman and Isabella Weatherwax; and his two great-grandchildren, Brayden and Bodhi McPherson.

Many thanks to the amazing staff at Grand Park Assisted Living and to RiverStone Hospice for their compassionate care and unfailing support, which made a graceful passing possible. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or to RiverStone Hospice in Jim's memory.

The family will greet friends for visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, and funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. both at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave.