William Mouat

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William (Bill) Gavin Mouat passed away August 10th at the Valley Health Care Center after an extended illness.

Bill was born April 5, 1919 in Myers, Montana. After Rosebud County split into two counties, Bill became the first baby registered in the newly formed Treasure County.

Bill started school at the age of 5 at Edwards Creek School, a one-room country schoolhouse. Because he was the only first grader at the school, he began his elementary education with the second grade class. Bill went on to graduate as the valedictorian of Hysham High School’s class of 1935. He graduated one month after his 16th birthday.

Following his high school graduation, Bill enrolled in Kinman Business College in Spokane, Washington. Upon completion of his courses at Kinman, he went to work as a secretary for one of the superintendents at the Grand Coulee Dam project in Washington. He then continued his education at the University of Idaho.

At the University of Idaho, Bill was a letterman in the javelin, a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and a member of the ROTC. He graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

He was a World War II veteran and served in three branches of the military –the Army, the Navy, and the Marines. He received his commission and wings as a Navy pilot on August 7, 1945 in Pensacola, Florida.

On June 9, 1946, Bill married Shirley Manning at St. Joseph’s Church in Hysham, Montana.

Upon graduating from law school at the University of Montana, Bill and Shirley moved to Billings. Bill worked for 3 years as a court reporter for Judge Guy Derry before opening his own practice. At that time, there were no machines to assist in court reporting. Bill did all of his work in shorthand and used a standard typewriter to create all legal transcripts. Bill practiced law for over 50 years, specializing in mining law. Later, Craig Martinson joined Bill at his firm.

He is survived by Shirley, his loving wife of 61 years. He is also survived by 3 sons- Marvin and his wife Joanne of Billings, Martin and his wife Mary of Boise, Idaho, and William and his wife Stephanie of Abilene, Texas. Bill was the proud grandfather of8 grandchildren: Chris Mouat, Amy Mouat-Hunter and her husband Tyson Hunter, Josh Mouat and his fiancee Erin Alger, James Mouat, Christina Mouat, Juliana Mouat, Nicole Mouat, and Gavin Mouat. One great-grandson, Elijah Hunter, also survives Bill. In addition, he is survived by three siblings – John Mouat of Cape Canaveral, Florida, Donald Mouat of Hardin, Montana, and sister Ellen Langston of Nye, Montana.

Bill was preceded in death by his father James J. Mouat, his Mother Lena Pederson Mouat, and brothers Jimmy and Doug Mouat.

Bill was an avid tennis player for many years, and he loved mining and spending time on the Stillwater River. He was particularly proud of his military service, and was always interested in aviation. He and Shirley were passionate travelers, visiting various locations throughout the world. Bill especially enjoyed Hawaiian Christmas vacations with his family.

While Bill may be gone for now, we know he will always have a strong presence in our lives.

The family will greet friends at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:00pm. Private funeral services will be Wednesday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary with interment in Mountview Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Valley Health Care or Rocky Mountain Hospice.

Dear Shirley and family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time, I wish I could of met Bill, he sounded like such a wonderful man, Take care.

JoAnn Powell (Marvin & JoAnn’s friend)

To the Mouat Family: my prayers are with you all. Bill was a wonderful kind man who I loved caring for at Valley. he was always so pleasant! god bless. Vanessa CNA Valley Health Care

Dear Shirley and Mouat family,

Please accept our condolences from all of us at Stillwater Mining Company.