William Lawrence Hackley, 86, passed away on Monday, February 18,2019 at the Billings Clinic in Billings, MT with family at his side.
William “Bill” Hackley was born February 7, 1933 in Andes, MT to parents William Leo and Helen Rose (Sjostrum) Hackley. Bill was raised on the family homestead in the Cherry Creek Community south of Culbertson, MT with his four sisters. He attended school and graduated from Culbertson High School. After high school he went into the United States Air Force and served from Nov 15, 1952-Nov 17, 1960. He was able to travel all over the world.
On April 12 1961 Bill married Betty Jane Zeller and they had four daughters. They lived on the farm homestead along beside his dad. He then started working at the Holly Sugar Factory and worked there for 30 years. While there he took correspondent courses to become a licensed electrician. He later took a computer course on how to build a computer when the factory went computerized. He worked winters at the sugar factory and farmed during the summer months. After retiring from the sugar factory he called himself a “hobby farmer” even putting it on his license plate. He took pride in his farming. He was always trying to find easier way to do things. He had many inventions that he made for himself and the neighbors but never patented any.
On June 12, 1987 he married Aileen Moran and he moved to Sidney but continued farming. Aileen and Bill were married for 29 years before she passed on December 17, 2016. They loved dancing, playing cards, and attending the grandkids events. Bill was a member of The VFW Post #4099 and the Moose Lodge No 856 in Sidney, MT. He had many friends and they knew him as “Mr. Bill”.
Traveling was something he loved to do all of his life. He traveled to various places around the world. One highlight of his travels was going to see his sister Mary and her husband John “Bud” Brown in Indonesia for a month. He questioned if he should go after 9-11 but went and had no regrets. He traveled by train, bus, and air. He took a bus one time to Nashville for a polka-fest. Dancing was one of his great loves. Everyone loved it when he went as they always knew they would have a chance to dance. He was always proud to dance with his daughters and granddaughters. The first polka was always for his daughter Diane no matter whom he or she was with. Other hobbies included cribbage and shooting pool through the years with his buddies and family.
Bill moved into the Montana Pioneer Manor in November 2015. Making friends quickly this became his home and family. He enjoyed living there and playing pool with his friend Frank Hoffman and Wii bowling with the girls (always having high score for the men). On March 12 2017 Bill made a public commitment to the Lord and was baptized at the age of 84 at the River of Life Assembly in Plentywood, MT. He always was a believer but had never been baptized. His mother Helen was shining down on him that day.
William is survived by his daughters Diane Spoklie of Antelope, MT and Cynthia Hackley of Evansville, WY. Grandchildren Dena Spoklie of Bozeman, MT, Zane Spoklie of Antelope, MT, and Mandi Spoklie of Kalispell, MT and Jasmine Hackley of Evansville, WY and Danielle Hackley of Laramine, WY. Sister Kathryn (Fred)Verhasselt of Sidney, MT, Tom Hackley (cousin) and John “Bud” Brown (brother-in-law) who were like brothers to him, Arnold Thiel (brother-in-law), and nieces and nephews. Bill is preceded in death by his wife Aileen Hackley, daughters Sheri Lawrence and Connie Nabors, granddaughter Christina Hackley, sisters Rose Thiel, Mary Ellen Brown, and Charlotte Hackley.