More detail on this person: It is with heavy hearts we announce William Charles "Bill" Willing, age 77, passed away peacefully at home on August 24, 2025, surrounded by family. He fought courageously, for seven weeks, against cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. Bill was born on February 12, 1948, in Glendive, Montana, to Seymour Frederick "Fred" and Ila (King) Willing. After his mother's early passing, Bill and his sister Laura were raised for a time by their grandparents, the Kings, in Glendive while their father traveled for work. They later rejoined their dad after he married Bernice Drake, and the family grew to include sisters Jeri and Jean. Bill attended grade school in Great Falls and graduated from Helena High School in 1966. As a youth, Bill earned the rank of Eagle Scout by hiking many miles through Glacier Park. He was involved in basketball and football and had a natural gift for conversation. His father once challenged him to meet a new person each day and report back-an exercise that shaped him into someone who seemed to know everyone, everywhere. In 1966, Bill began college at the University of Montana, where he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity. More interested in adventure than academics, he used a 30-day flight pass to travel across the country with a girlfriend who was a flight attendant. When his grades dropped, his father left him a note: "Time to join the Army, son." Bill enlisted in 1969 as an infantryman at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and was later accepted into the Warrant Officer Candidate Helicopter Flight Program at Fort Walters, Texas. He completed advanced helicopter training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and was assigned in April 1970 to the 170th Assault Helicopter Company, flying missions for Special Forces in Vietnam's Central Highlands. Bill flew 512 combat missions before being honorably discharged in 1971. He became one of the Montana National Guard's most highly decorated Vietnam combat veterans. Among his many awards, he was most proud of the Silver Star for valor in combat, the Distinguished Flying Cross for aviation achievement, the Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious service, the Air Medal for heroism in flight, and the Purple Heart, awarded five times for combat wounds. After returning home, Bill lived in Helena, where he met Sandie Stafford at the York Bar, which her uncle owned. They married in 1973 and moved to Deer Lodge, where Bill was assigned as administrator of the Montana Army National Guard helicopter unit. Their son Mike was born during that time. The family later moved to Marysville, where Bill built their beautiful home, which he fondly called "the cabin." He was active in youth skiing through the Great Divide Ski Education Foundation and the U.S. Junior Olympic Ski Program. Bill went back to college and earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Business, a Master's in Public Administration, and completed the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He rose through the Warrant Officer ranks to Chief Warrant Officer 4, then received a direct commission to Second Lieutenant, eventually retiring at the rank of Colonel after a 38-year military career. After Sandie's passing in 1999, her dear friend Nonnie Siegle helped Bill care for her. Unbeknownst to them, she set the two up before she passed. She told Bill to take Nonnie to dinner and open her car door. She told Nonnie to show Bill how to write a check and pay the bills. They followed her instructions, fell in love, and married in 2000. Bill adopted Nonnie's son Michael and raised him as his own. He retired in 2004 due to a foot injury, and he and Nonnie moved to Anaconda in 2006, where Bill built their retirement home, large shop and sweeping backyard-his "Utopia." He spent several years with his friend Tom McCarthy building a custom El Camino. Bill knew the El Camino had been painted just before his passing. Bill and Nonnie also spent winters in Casa Grande, Arizona, where he loved working on and improving their second home. Selling that home was a hard decision. Bill remained deeply involved in veterans' organizations and public service. He was a member of the Blackfoot Warrior Society, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, the Purple Heart Society, Disabled Veterans of America, VFW, and American Legion, where he served as a representative for the Anaconda A's Legion Baseball Team, Chairman of the Southwest Montana Veterans Home Site Selection Committee and Trustee for the Southwest Montana Veterans Home Foundation.He was a past board member of the ADLC Airport Board and co-chair of the Domestic Animal Task Force. Survivors include his wife Nonnie, sons Michael William Siegle (Kaeli), Mike Willing, sisters Laura (Lon) Schroeder and Jean (Tim) Mehrens, sister and brother-in-law Tara and Bill Gunsch, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Fredrick and Ila Willing; stepparents Ray and Bernice Pelo; sister Jeri; and his first wife, Sandie. Special thanks are extended to Linda Moodry, Dave Williamson, and Tom McCarthy for their support of Bill and Nonnie. Memorial contributions may be made to the Southwest Montana Veterans Home, 65 Veterans Circle, Butte, MT 59701. Bill was a bigger-than-life presence, a loyal friend and mentor, and a man known for his wit, honesty, and one-liners-some inappropriate, all memorable. His sharp sense of humor, radiant smile, and piercing baby-blue eyes left an impression on everyone he met. Though he returned from Vietnam, he carried the weight of war every day, never forgetting his fallen brothers. He lived with PTSD and survivor's guilt but never stopped serving veterans. Rest now, Bill. No more night terrors. You served your country well, Soldier. You may have returned home from Vietnam, but in the end, you still gave your life for your country. You've flown high in your last Huey, Buc4, and now you are at peace. We will love you and miss you forever. AMF. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602 starting at 1pm. Following the service, a burial of Bill's cremains will take place at the Montana State Veteran's Cemetery- Fort Harrison, 3550 Heroes Road, Fort Harrison, MT 59636. A reception will be held at the Green Meadow Country Club, 2720 Country Club Ave., Helena, MT 59602 following the graveside. Condolences can be shared at www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Burial information: Montana State Veteran's Cemetery, Fort Harrison, MT
This information was last updated 02/13/2026
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Date posted on this site: 04/18/2026
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