William Norman Koepke Jr.

William Norman Koepke Jr., 67, died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at Northern Montana Care Center, of complications from progressive supranuclear palsy.

Cremation has taken place, and at his request, no services will be held. Private family burial will be held at a later time. Memorials in Bill's honor may be made to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

William was born Oct. 9, 1942, in Cut Bank, Mont., to William Norman and Mary (Nanini) Koepke Sr. He was raised in Cut Bank until he was 9 years old and moved with his family to Sunburst.

Norman graduated from North Toole County High School in 1962. He worked on his uncle's farm north of Cut Bank and then attended Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Fargo, N.D. In 1964, Bill enlisted in the

U. S. Army and served in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1966 as a private first class. He returned to Cut Bank and started working for Montana Power Company as a field operator. He then went to work at the Glacier County Sheriff's Department from 1971 to 1981 as a deputy sheriff and undersheriff. After working for 10 years at the sheriff's department, he returned for a short time to the oil rigs and then went back to work for Montana Power.

Bill had two children, Kathy and Tom, of whom he was very proud. He moved to Havre in 2007 and lived at the Eagles Manor so he could be near his children. In 2008 Bill moved into Northern Montana Care Center due to health reasons.

Bill was a people person. He enjoyed socializing with everyone and always seemed to meet someone new. He enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing and was an excellent shot. He was a sharpshooter in the military, and coyotes didn't stand a chance.

He was a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge in Cut Bank and helped with many of its activities.

He enjoyed golfing and looked forward to the 19th hole.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marlene Koepke.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Adrian) Kostelnik of Havre, Mont.; his son, Tom (Deanna) Koepke of Great Falls; two grandsons, Derek Fitzgerald and Kristopher Chapman; his sister, Loretta (Jake) Jacobson of Warner, Alberta; and his nephew, Lenny Atkinson of Columbia, S.C.