Wilbur Orrel Straw
- Born: 1 Apr 1934, Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana
- Died: 8 Dec 2009, Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana at age 75
General Notes:
Research of June Straw Wittman and mailed to me Feb 2005 - he also married Ula Zelka (1976)
Research of: Marie Francis Egan P.O.Box 6743 Helena, Montana 59604 United States 406 449 7046 m9deer@aol.com
THE BILLINGS GAZETTE Wilbur "Willie" Straw, 75, of Billings, was called into eternal peace after a brave fight with an aggressive cancer, Dec. 8, 2009.Willie was born April 1, 1934, to Orrel and Fay Straw. He was the ninth of 11 children. He graduated from Billings Senior High in 1953, went to college and graduated from Rocky Mountain College in 1957 with a BA in education. He taught for two years in Cut Bank, and then landed a position as an Industrial Arts teacher at Lewis & Clark Junior High in Billings, where he remained until retirement. Willie married Myrna Tollackson in 1956. They were blessed with five children and later divorced. On June 12, 1976, Willie married Ula Colman, and they shared 33 wonderful years together up until his death. Willie was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Debbie and Stan; five sisters, Sarah, Dorothy, Helen, Margie and Rosie; and two brothers, Jim and Paul. Willie is survived by his wife, Ula; one son, Greg (Becky) Straw of Helena; two daughters, Sherry (John) Eisenbraun of Park City and Marsha McFadden of Covington, Wash.; stepchildren, Sean (Lisa) Zelka of California, Debbie (Rod) Hardy of Billings and Bobbie Vernoy of Spokane, Wash.; three sisters, June (David) Whittman, Jean Lackman and Winnie Lehner, all of Billings; and one sister-in-law, Molly Steffes. Willie had numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved and they adored him. Willie's hobbies included working with wood, building houses and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed spending time with his many good friends at the Mt. Nugget Casino, playing keno, which he referred to as "keno therapy." The entire family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the medical staff at St. Vincent's Hospital and to the Evergreen Health & Rehab Center in Laurel. Their kindness and support was above and beyond during this difficult time for the family. Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Cremation & Funeral Gallery, 29 Eighth St. W., Billings, at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to an animal shelter in Billings.
Wilbur married Living
Wilbur next married Living
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