Arlo 'Bill' William Westby

On Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, Arlo "Bill" William Westby passed away at Valley View Home in Glasgow, Mont., at the age of 82.

He was born Dec. 15, 1932, in Opheim, Mont., the son of Adolph and Mabel (Isakson) Westby. He enjoyed life on the farm as a boy and loved riding horses. He and his seven siblings would move into Opheim during the winter with his mom and attend school. He would ride horseback or ski to the farm on the weekends to be with his dad. He graduated from Opheim High School in 1953.

He was drafted into the army right out of high school and served in the Korean War for 18 months. He served in the 2nd Infantry Indian Arrowhead Division on the 38th parallel and in the 24th Infantry Division. He was discharged from Fort Lewis in 1955.

Upon his return to the U.S., he farmed with his brother, James. During that time he also worked as a lineman at Northern Electric Cooperative until 1959. He often remarked that the greatest thing that ever happened to family farms was the availability of electricity.

He married Gretchen (Nelson) Westby on June 10, 1962. After a few years they purchased the family farm and have resided there ever since. Their first child, Karen, was born in 1966 and their son, Todd, followed in 1969.

He continued to farm, enjoying all the labors of each season. He also truly loved working with livestock – riding horses, working cattle, and even herding sheep as a young boy. He was a lover of animals of all kinds and loved to do chores. No one has ever received better care than Bill's dogs. In his later years he enjoyed many hours of touring the farm in his Ranger with his two dogs, Ozzy and Tuff.

The pitch fork is hung, the cows are milked, the eggs are picked, the pigs are fed, the gates are closed, and we shut the lights off in the barn.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Jeannette Stellflug, Neta Davenport, Bud Westby and Ronnie Westby.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Gretchen; one daughter, Karen Mayhall and her husband, Roger; one son, Todd Westby and his wife, Lori; five grandchildren, Quinn and Paige Mayhall, and Brooke, Blaire and Ty Westby; three siblings, James Westby, Marcella Roots and Kerm Westby; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 31, at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Opheim, followed by internment at Lawndale Cemetery. Following the service a luncheon was served.