William "Bill" Helgeson

William L. Bill Helgeson, 90, of Great Falls, passed away Friday, July 14, 2017 of natural causes at a local hospital surrounded by his family.A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel, 1410 13th Str. S.. Burial of ashes will follow at Highland Cemetery with military honors. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Bill was born on July 28, 1926 in Great Falls, Montana to William J. and Ingeborg Helgeson. Bill grew up in Black Eagle attending elementary school there. He went on to attend Great Falls High School and was drafted into the Army in 1944. Bill attended basic training in Utah and went on to serve in Okinawa and was there when the H Bomb was dropped on Japan in August of 1945. He stayed in Okinawa for two months before being sent to Korea on the USS Butte until September of 1946. Bill returned to the states after his discharge in 1946. He joined the Montana Air National Guard in the weather service department and also worked for General Mills in Great Falls.After his time with the reserves, he went to work for the Great Falls Fire Department for 26 years and then worked as a Home Insurance Inspector for loss prevention. Bill finally retired in 1987.Bill was a life member of the V.F.W.He was united in marriage with Ruth Toy in Great Falls on June 20, 1948. They had 3 children and just celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Nothing meant more to Bill than his family. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.Bill is survived by the love of his life, Ruth T. Helgeson; sons Bill (Tracy) Helgeson of Great Falls and Jim (Angie) Helgeson of Black Eagle; brother Les Helgeson of Great Falls; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Karen Marie Matoon; three sisters; and one brother.