Wilma May McElvain

Wilma May (Copenhaver) McElvain, 85, of Billings, Mont., passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Heights Family Funeral Home, 733 West Wicks Lane, on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m. Burial will take place at the Huntley Cemetery.

Wilma was born Sept. 20, 1934, in Hinsdale, Mont., to Edward and Hazel Carter Copenhaver, and grew up on the family farm. Wilma attended school in Vandalia and graduated high school from Hinsdale. She married Robert “Bud” McElvain Jr. on Aug. 10, 1952. They were married for 45 years.

Wilma and Bud farmed and ranched north of Hinsdale. While in Hinsdale Mom enjoyed belonging to the Riverview Eastern Star where she was a past Worthy Matron. Later, they moved to Opheim, Mont., where they continued farming and ranching until the summer of 1968 when they moved to Worden, Mont., to start a new career in real estate. Wilma was Bud’s office manager and later got her own real estate license. Wilma helped Bud run one of the most successful real estate offices in the country, winning many top national seller, and top broker awards for United Farm Agency. Due to Bud’s health issues, they were forced to move into Billings in 1985, where Wilma worked for Kmart until her retirement.

Wilma enjoyed traveling with her husband and was an excellent cook and baker. Her bread and cinnamon rolls were the best! Wilma was a competitive game player…just ask her grandchildren. Wilma played to win, no matter who she was playing with. Mom did not believe that everyone should get a trophy, you had to earn it. Wilma was the best mother her five children could have asked for. She also loved spending time with her 16 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Mom will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Hazel Copenhaver; husband Robert Jr. “Bud”; brother Gary Copenhaver; brother-in-law Sam Mercer; sister-in-law Sharon Robinson; and nephew Terry Lee Mercer.

Wilma is survived by her five children, Roland (Janie), Sheree (Pete) Longo, Karen (Don) Mitchell, Cindy McElvain, and Mike (Lori); one brother, Vernon (Beverly) Copenhaver; three sisters-in-law, LaFon Copenhaver, Marlys Mercer and Maxine (Kenneth) O’Brien; 16 grandchildren, Jennifer Edwards, Tyler McElvain, Ross McElvain, Kathryn Bahr, Edward Longo, Kirby Longo, Chad, Michael, David, and Daniel Mitchell, Ryan and Roy Mehling, Sarah Krebs, Bobby, Julie and Hollie McElvain; 29 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Mom, you will be deeply missed by all.

Memorials can be sent to the MCT Community Fund, 1439 Main St. Billings, MT 59105.

Heights Family Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements and remembrances may be shared online at http://www.heightsfamilyfuneralhome.com.