William "Bill" R. Keith

William “Bill” R. Keith, 94, passed away of natural causes on December 16, 2020, at a Great Falls independent living facility. A private family burial will take place Saturday, December 19, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. in Valier, Montana. Bill was born in Chinook, MT on July 6, 1926, to Ward and Essie Keith. He was one of seven children raised on a farm south of Chinook. There, he learned a strong work ethic and skills that would shape his life. He graduated from Chinook High School, and after working some ranch jobs, he enlisted in the Army. He went off to defend our country in World War II stationed in the Aleutian Islands. Bill married Arlie Jacqueline Duncan in Wichita Falls, TX on December 6, 1945. They were married for nearly 65 years before she passed away in 2010. After returning home from the military, he went to work at the Evans Ranch as a farm hand and worked there for ten years. During that time, Bill and Arlie were blessed with three children. He often spoke of his years at the ranch with all that were willing to hear his stories. After leaving the ranch, Bill and Arlie moved to Great Falls where Bill worked at Central Machinery for a time, then to Shelby and took work at a farm. Since it was a drought year, he moved his family back to Great Falls. He eventually went to work for Cascade County as a mechanic and soon became a skilled welder and shop foreman. He always proudly told his granddaughter that he helped pour the Cascade County Courthouse steps. His favorite part of the job was welding and many considered him the best welder in town. During his working years, three grandchildren were added to the family. After Bill retired, he and his wife moved to Idaho to be close to his growing grandchildren. They enjoyed several years living in the Treasure Valley and welcomed five great-grandchildren. Bill was a quiet, humble man who worked hard all his life. He enjoyed listening to “old” country music, reading newspapers, gardening, looking through family photos, and watching wholesome tv, but his favorite thing to do was spend time with his family. Bill passed away surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife; parents, Ward and Essie Keith; siblings, Ernest Keith, Donald Keith, Harry Keith, Mary Ellen Canoy, and Rose Eva Keck; son, Kenneth (BeAnne) Keith of Great Falls; daughter, Linda (Michael) Shaul of Meridian, ID; son, Douglas (Wendy) Keith of Meridian, ID; grandchildren Brandi (Steve) Hoffman, Bradley (Andrea) Shaul, and Christopher (Catherine) Keith; great-grandchildren, Clint Gearhart, Trent (Rachelle) Gearhart, Tucker Shaul, Carson Shaul and James Keith; sister, Nel Jean Petaja, and sister-in-law, Fran Keith. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to either the Disabled American Veterans (dav.org) or the Alzheimers Association (alz.org).