Lester “Bill” Mcculloch

[gn_spacer size=”20″] [gn_heading style=”1″]Lester "Bill" McCulloch[/gn_heading] [frame src=”https://michelottisawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/tn_mcculloch.jpg” width=”” height=”” lightbox=”on” title=”Lester "Bill" McCulloch” align=”left” ]

Lester "Bill" McCulloch, 86 of Billings, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2006, at St. John's Lutheran Nursing Home.

Bill was born on February 14, 1920 in Portland, Oregon to Lester and Mary (Hurt) McCulloch. He grew up in Condon, OR and eventually went to work for a farming family near there. He later made the journey to Montana and worked for a ranch near Forsyth, MT. It was there he met Elnora Waples. They were married in Forsyth on January 29, 1941.

Bill served his country in the Army Air Corp, stationed in North Africa, Italy, France and England. He was a member of the 9th Troop Carrier Command as a crew chief on the C-47’s, and dropped paratroopers on D-Day and Operation Market Garden. He was honorably discharged as Master Sergeant on July 2, 1945, and returned to Forsyth to work at Foley Brothers Mine in Colstrip until its closure.

In 1968, Bill and Elnora moved to Billings where he went to work at the Corette Plant, eventually becoming Maintenance Supervisor. He retired from Montana Power in 1985.

Bill had a great love for classic country music. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing, and was a avid fly fisherman before fly fishing was trendy. He truly enjoyed his family, especially spending time with his grand and great grandkids.

Bill is survived by his wife Elnora of Billings; sons, Louie (Deanna) McCulloch, and Lawrence (Donna) McCulloch, all of Colstrip; brother, Larry McDonald of Tacoma, WA; sisters, Mary Pendergrass of Portland, OR and Patricia Wolsey of Kent, WA; grandchildren, Rick (Angela) McCulloch, Kristina (Mike) Gapay, Clint (Nicole) McCulloch, Monte (Kim) McCulloch, Steve (Karen) McCulloch, and Tanya Francious; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, William McCulloch; brother, Robert Hal McCulloch; sisters, Theola Burns and Betty Ferguson; and granddaughter, Melissa.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, March 10, 2006, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Military Honors will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Home Foundation, 3940 Rimrock Rd., Billings, MT, 59102.