Willliam "Bill" Semple Macfadden Jr.

Bill Macfadden 88, of Great Falls, passed away on Friday, October 20, 2017 in Billings, Montana. Bill had courageously fought a four year battle with Corticobasal Degeneration. The family sorrowfully shares this news but it is with deep gratitude for the many friends and family who helped bear the weight of this illness during Bill and Joan-Nell’s long journey. Bill was born December 15, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He and his three sisters, Jane (Purdy), Doty (Douglass), and Mary (Poehler) were raised by his parents, William S. Macfadden Sr. and Dorothy Sharp Macfadden. After a high school summer job at a logging camp in Montana, it became Bill’s goal to return and live his life there. First Bill needed to finish high school where he was a member of the state hockey champion team. From there he attended Dartmouth College where he continued playing hockey and made lifelong friends. After graduating, Bill enlisted with the Marines to serve his country during the Korean conflict. Serving his country was one of Bill’s proudest accomplishments. After two years of service he was honorably discharged as a decorated 2nd Lieutenant, he had flown over 125 flying missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary accomplishment. Unfortunately, Bill and Joan-Nell’s reunion visit to the Korean War Memorial was cancelled due to the 9-11 terrorist attacks. From there, Bill returned to Montana where he eventually met Joan-Nell Bowron and began his other proudest accomplishment in life, 58 years of marriage. They built a family with three daughters, Molly, Sarah, and Amy. Bill’s adventuresome love of Montana meant that the family got to spend lots of time on the Smith River at the family cabin, at Showdown ski area, and on Flathead Lake. Bill and Joan-Nell’s annual float trip on the Smith with friends and Bill’s many hunting trips with friends were all things that accomplished his goals of Montana living. Hockey continued for Bill another three years by proudly competing for the Great Falls Americans. Bill’s professional career was in the field of the investment business. He came on board with D.A. Davidson during the company’s exciting building years. Bill was able to contribute by heading up the Financial Aims Department, managing the Syndicate Department and designing and initiating the training program for the company investment executives. Other opportunities opened for him to serve and he became the first Montanan on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, a member of the Midwest Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board of Trade and eventually the Montana Board of Investments. Bill loved the Great Falls community and was able to serve in various capacities. He chaired the school board, the Montana Deaconess Medical Center Board, the Trigg-C.M. Russell Foundation, as well as a private family foundation. Perhaps his greatest and most beloved service to the community was offered through the development of Eagle Mount of Great Falls. On the day he retired from D.A. Davidson, he started the nonprofit organization which provides therapeutic and recreational activities for people with physical, developmental, mental or behavioral challenges. He was pleased to be a part of such a wonderful organization for 23 years. Bill is survived by his wife, Joan-Nell; sister Mary; daughters Molly, Sarah, Amy (Petsch); and seven grandchildren, Isabella, Sam, Eleanor, Fredrick, Isaac, Simon and Seth. The family would like to express appreciation for the staff of The Grandview of Great Falls, The Beehive Clover House and Aspen Meadows of Billings for the care given to Bill over these past few years. What a blessing a good C.N.A. is to one in need! A memorial service and celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the Church of the Incarnation in Great Falls, 600 3rd Ave. N. at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2017.