Alonzo William Grisamer

RONAN — Bill, which is what everyone called him, died Friday afternoon, June 2, 2006, at his home. He was a great man and anyone who knew him always adored him. He was the last of the Old West cowboys and will be remembered for his gentle nature and compassionate and loving heart.

Bill was born Aug. 31, 1923, in Jackson Hole, Wyo. He was the sixth child in his family. Billy grew up as a cowboy, feeding herds of cattle and elk. As a young boy, he learned to ride a horse, drive a team and sleigh, ford the Snake River, and walk or ride horseback several miles just to get to school.

Billy and his family loved music and often you would find him in the cow pasture practicing his guitar and singing. The cows would gather around him listening and mooing and he often said, "They never complained."

At age 15, his father died. He then became a man and managed his mother's ranch. That is when he learned to trail cattle to the railroad over Teton Pass. He worked long hard hours, giving up education to work his family's homestead. His work ethic that he learned at an early age was instilled in him for life. That is why he was known as a man who never took sick leave until his health made him use it up at the age of 77.

On Aug. 7, 1946, Bill married Nancy Ann Blanchard on the ranch. A daughter, Janet, and son Ronnie soon joined their family. Then in 1952, Bill moved his family and 25 head of cattle to Montana. He purchased a ranch in Charlo. Life was great there. He had a house with electricity, water and a real bathroom. He felt lucky to have a mailbox close by that mail was delivered to daily and a bus that could take his children to school. Three more daughters were born, Joy, Rae and Judy.

Bill worked for the Bureau of Reclamation for the next 48-1/2 years. He loved every minute of it, as he advanced from pick and shovel to machine operator and then to water master. His job provided him with thousands of acres to share.

We swore he knew everyone in the valley. He knew people's land layout, their kids, called their horses and pets by name and sometimes you could find him in your field delivering a calf. He was an honorable co-worker, a lifelong friend and someone you could depend on. He was also known as a man of his word.

One of Bill's many passions was dancing. He would dance anytime, anywhere and never tire. It took several women to keep up with his smooth feet, and those who didn't know how to dance thought they could after he would dance them across the floor.

Sickness took over in 2000. Bill and Nancy then moved to Ronan in 2001 in a partially remodeled house the kids mostly built. He often called his retirement house "the home love built."

Often you could see Bill and Nancy walking around town hand-in-hand. People commented how sweet they looked after nearly 60 years of marriage, but they always assured everyone they were just holding each other up.

The last years of his life were spent visiting in coffee shops, lunching at the Dairy Queen and telling stories to anyone who would listen. He loved to plant flowers, and he had the shortest grass in town because he loved the feel of his riding lawnmower. He spent his other spare time in his lawn chair outside watching life go by with a smile on his face and a wave of his hand. Often in the evening you would see the love of his life, Nancy, join him at his side and the cat and dog in his lap.

He is survived by his wife Nancy; son Ronnie of Utah; four daughters, Janet of Ronan, Joy of Washington, Rae of Ronan, and Judy of Lakeside, 17 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan assisted with arrangements.