William Hilton Sargent, Jr.

William Hilton Sargent, Jr., of Polson, Montana passed away peacefully on March 29th, 2016 in Yuba City, CA. Bill was born on May 2nd, 1932 in Huntington Park, CA, and spent his childhood in Southern California.

He often reminisced fondly about streetcars, canyons he explored, exotic ethnic food, and his father’s football coaching. A sailor early on, Bill spent a year after high school in the Merchant Marine, voyaging to Korea. During college, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve and served for over 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Of all his varied Naval experiences and training, was especially proud of qualifying in submarines.

Following graduation from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering, Bill worked as an electrical engineer for Hughes Aircraft Company. His career at Hughes allowed him to work and live first in Texas, then in Germany for a number of years, where his daughters Erica and Andrea were born. Many of Bill’s favorite sayings were of German or military origin. He enjoyed the opportunities his career afforded to travel to parts of the world including Europe, Hawaii, and the Middle East. After retirement, Bill took advantage of military flights to embark on a variety of adventures, at times traveling with his son, Scott.

Bill first moved to Polson in 1971 with his wife, Linda, and their young children. He founded Western Montana Scale Systems, designing and building electronic weighing systems for cattle and large truck scales. Returning to California in the 1980s, he resumed work at Hughes, but his love for Montana remained strong. He moved back to Polson for retirement to enjoy sailing, bagpiping, and working on his property on Flathead Lake. Bill loved the lake and sharing the beautiful view with others; a summertime visit from his children and grandchildren brought him great joy.

Bill lived with his son Scott Sargent, daughter-in-law Cindi Sargent, and grandsons Owen Sargent and Tavis Sargent for the last years of his life. He is also survived by his daughter Erica Sargent and granddaughters Clara Schaeffer and Amelia Schaeffer, and his daughter Andrea Harbin, son-in-law Beau Harbin, and grandchildren Rowan Harbin and Duncan Harbin. He will also be missed by his brother John Sargent, sister Sharon Rumfalo, and many nieces and nephews. Bill will be remembered as a loving and generous grandpa who was very proud of his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments and as a warm friend with a ready smile.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Hilton Sargent, Sr., and Sarah Louise Sargent, neice Bailey, and his brother, Michael Patrick Sargent.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday, April 7th, 2016 from 4pm to 7pm at The Lake Funeral Home, 101 6th Avenue East, Polson. Services will be held at 10am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1002 4th Avenue East, Polson on Friday, April 8th, 2016. Burial will follow services at Lakeview Cemetery with full military honors. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.