Obituary: William L. McCauley

William L. McCauley, of Cut Bank, Montana, died January 31, 2020 at the age of 83, under the care of Missouri River Center in Great Falls. Bill was born November 3, 1936 in Butte to Alfred T. and Eleanor Huber McCauley. After the family moved to the Sunnyslope area, Ginther Hill, Bill attended Augusta and Choteau schools graduating from Choteau High School.

William L. McCauley
(11/03/1936 – 01/31/2020)

Bill met the love of his life Helen Yeager after she returned from Washington with her family. They were married June 5, 1954 in Conrad, MT. Bill worked at Knudtzon Lumber Co. becoming part owner and the couple raised their 3 children in Choteau, MT.  Bill was active in the Choteau community as a volunteer Fireman, a city councilman in 1962, a Jaycee member, a Toastmasters and a Boy Scouts member. He was a football and basketball official, youth baseball coach/umpire and a member of the United Methodist Church.

In 1978 Bill, Helen and Brad, their youngest, moved to Cut Bank, MT. Bill became owner of Cut Bank Building Service. Continuing his civic ways, Bill was Mayor of Cut Bank from 1992-1996. He served as chair of the 9^th Judicial District Group Home, serving Glacier, Toole, Pondera and Teton Counties. He also served as a swim team booster and announcer. He was a founder and part of Glacier Action and Involvement Now. He was on the Lewis and Clark Festival Committee, a chamber director, on the cemetery board, city county planning board and a member of the Community Medical Services and State 911. Bill was also president of the Golden Triangle Baseball League, Chairman of the Sports Complex Board and again was a Babe Ruth coach and umpire. He was part of Sweetgrass Development and Glacier County Regional Port Authority and a member of the Moose Lodge and Elks Organizations.

Bill was honored by Cut Bank as citizen of the year in 2002 and in 2016 was named senior citizen of the year at Parkview Senior Center. Bill loved sports and following his kids, grandkids and great grandkids games in Montana, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma and Washington. Bill was a booster club member of Choteau, Cut Bank, Rocky Mountain College, Montana Tech, Carroll College and Northern Montana College. He was also a Grizzly fan.

Preceded in death by his parents, Bill leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Helen Yeager McCauley. His children Lee (Carla) McCauley of Woodville, TX.; Nancy (Conrad) Gunderson of Choteau, MT.; Brad (Jamie) McCauley of Lake Charles, LA.; as well as 8 grandchildren York McCauley, Linsay Earle, Shane Gunderson, Michelle Daw, Lucas Gunderson, Hannah Halverson, Connor McCauley, Delany McCauley and 17 great grandchildren.

Bill was an amazing story teller at heart, never forgetting an acquaintance. He always loved people and felt privileged to meet anyone. Bill’s community heart will be remembered, as he was a supporter of the Montana Story Teller Conference.

Source: The Fairfield Sun Times