Marjorie ‘Joan’ Bohannon

Marjorie "Joan" Bohannon, 96, of Billings, went to be with her husband Ralph, on Nov. 14, 2017, at RiverStone Hospice Home, following a very brief stay.

Joan was born in Widnes, England, on Oct. 29, 1921, to Willoughby and Esther (Collier) Gilbody. She was raised and educated in England, and, during WWII, she fell for an American Soldier, Ralph Bohannon. At the age of 25, she emigrated to the United States to become a war bride, and she and Ralph were married in Oklahoma on June 2, 1947.

Ralph was employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the United States Government, and his job took them to various places in the U.S. before being assigned to the Crow Indian Reservation and later to Billings in 1955, where they spent the rest of their lives. Their only child, Roger, was born in 1952.

Joan was very active in her church, St. Luke's Episcopal Church. She was a volunteer as a Gray Lady at Deaconess Hospital for over 25 years and a member of Eastern Star and White Shrine. Joan was a proper English Lady! Her family was very important to her. She adored her grandchildren and took a great fondness to her great-grandson, Bodie. As she said, "my grandchildren are my most precious things." She also enjoyed crafting and handiwork, crocheting, knitting and making teddy bears that she proudly displayed on various shelves in her home.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ralph in 1996; her brothers, Tom and Bill. She is survived by her son, Roger and his wife Rosemary Bohannon of Billings; grandson Thayne Bohannon of Denver; and granddaughter Alana (Terry Mcguirl) Bohannon and great-grandsons Bodie Mcguirl of Billings and Aiden Mcguirl of Missoula; as well as numerous family members in the United Kingdom.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life reception will be held around Christmas at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Her urn will be placed with Ralph's at St. Stephen's Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association.