Francis L. Wamsley

Francis L. Wamsley, son of G. W. and Grace Wamsley, was born in St. Ignatius, Montana, on Dec. 1, 1922 and died May 16.

He grew up in Charlo where he graduated from high school in 1940.  His college education at Gonzaga University was interrupted by World War II, during which time he served as a clerk in a hospital unit in the European theater. After his honorable discharge from the army, he returned to Spokane where he graduated from Gonzaga University with a B.A. in business administration in 1949.

Prior to graduation, he married Constance (Connie) Clark on August 18, 1947, in Salem, S.D.  Fran and Connie and their first two children, Mary and Dennis, lived in Spokane until 1953, when they returned to Fran’s home town to join his father in the grocery, general merchandise business.  Three more children, Madeline, Maureen, and Mark, joined the family there.  While in Charlo, he was active in the Lion’s Club and various community organizations.  

He closed the Charlo business in 1965 and began working for the Department of Agriculture’s A.S.C.S. as County Executive Director in Sidney, Mont., where he continued until his retirement in 1983.  While in Sidney, he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, serving two years as Grand Knight.  He was also a charter member of the Sidney Lion’s Club, serving as secretary for 12 years.

Since their retirement, the Wamsleys have lived on the South Shore of Flathead Lake at Polson, Montana in the summer and in Tucson, Arizona in the winter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, G. W. and Grace Wamsley, and his brothers Joseph Wamsley, Gene Wamsley, Jim Wamsley, and Phillip (Pink) Wamsley. Survivors include wife Constance (Connie), brother George Wamsley, sister Mary Margaret Wamsley, daughters Mary (Bonnie) Wamsley, Madeline Cooper, and Maureen (Clinton) Filler, sons Dennis (Nancy) Wamsley and Mark (Lisa) Wamsley, 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.