Harvey Wesley Willison

ARLEE — Harvey Wesley Willison, 84, died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at his home in Arlee.

Harvey was born Jan. 3, 1922, in Summit, S.D., to David and Hedwig (Benz) Willison. He moved to Missoula with his family at the age of 12.

After attending school and working in the area, he moved to Seattle with his sister's family, the Chaussees. In Seattle, he attended welding school and worked on the dredge until reporting for military service.

Harvey reported to Butte on Jan. 7, 1943, and started service in the Army on Jan. 15. In the Army, he was a radar and searchlight operator, a welder and a heavy-truck driver in New Guinea and Luzon in the Philippines. He was discharged on his birthday in 1946, which he always said was the best birthday present he ever received.

On April 3, 1949, Harvey and Lilie Boegli were married in Missoula. They followed road construction, eventually settling in Arlee in 1956 with their three children.

Harvey served in the Jocko Valley Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years while he worked road construction throughout western Montana. He was designated a lifetime member of the Operating Engineers having been a member for 50 years. He had many stories about the roads he helped build and the men he worked for and with as a cat skinner, crusher operator and loader operator. He told of his amazing trip over Going-to-the-Sun Road in the middle of the night while towing a crusher that took up the entire road.

Harvey always considered himself a "top hand" and was proud of always doing a full day's work no matter what the job. His welding talent earned him respect from many bosses, co-workers and neighbors. He had the ability to envision and build something useful from his pile of scrap metal and odds and ends in his shop.

He enjoyed going to hunting camp up Petty Creek with his sons and friends, having a good slice of pie and "whistling a little tune" in the morning.

After retiring in 1982, he and Lilie spent time traveling the backroads in Canada and Montana. They attended the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City and the chuckwagon races. He always considered himself a "careful traveler" and knew that "where the pavement ends, the West begins."

In 1999, for their 50th wedding anniversary, the family enjoyed a jet boat trip up the Snake River. Harvey also loved attending Lady Griz games and marveling at Coach Robin Selvig's ability to make a winning team.

He monitored the daily weather and tracked the changing of the seasons. Winter solstice meant "the days begin to lengthen, and winter begins to strengthen." He was a proud contributor to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and was very troubled by the current war in Iraq, often being unable to watch the news.

Harvey was a loving, yet private man who let his actions and concern express how he felt. Grandson Trey says he lives by his grandpa's wisdom: "Say it like it is or otherwise don't." Harvey always was seen with a toothpick in his mouth, chewing a stick of gum or a pinch of Skoal and wearing a hat or cap. He liked things "skookum."

He was preceded in death by brothers Orville and Vern and sisters Isabel, Ruth and Marcella.

Harvey is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lilie; sons Greg (Marilyn) of New Plymouth, Idaho, and Randy (Becky) of Arlee; daughter Pam (Gary) of Bigfork; grandsons Trey and Gary (Trina) Willison; granddaughter Jenn Tucker (Tyson); and three great-granddaughters. The most recent addition to the family, 2-year-old Chase Tucker, was the one who really put a smile on his great-grandpa's face. Also surviving are his brother Gene; sister Orpah Chaussee; numerous nieces and nephews, and faithful dog Molly.

A memorial service was held Jan. 21, at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Arlee. Burial wasat Pleasant View Cemetery in St. Ignatius.

Memorials may be made to the Arlee QRU, P.O. Box 254, Arlee, MT 59821.

A special note from nephew Eugene and niece Peach:

Harv was a man of impeccable character. Unlike many who valued money or fame, Harv, who was not a man of need, was a man of integrity his entire life with his wife, his family and all who knew him.

For nearly four decades, flowers were placed on our mother's grave. We often wondered, "Who was this kind soul?" As each suspect passed on, the flowers continued. He humbly disclosed his secret to us last July. Our mother was not a blood family member but his sister-in-law, Mrs. Vern Willison. We thank him for his thoughtfulness.