BIG TIMBER â€" William Edward Pedula passed away Jan. 18, 2011.

He was born July 21, 1932, in Sheridan, Wyo. to Dominic and Susie Pedula. He was raised by mother, Susie, and stepfather Lee Morris. He later came to know his father's family with Rose. His siblings in this family included Frank, Robert, Joan and Linda.

Bill attended schools in Sheridan, Wyo., and Walla Walla, Wash. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1950. He was actively involved with band, football, and tried boxing for a while.

Immediately after high school graduation, Bill joined the Wyoming National Guard. He served in Korea as a member of the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. He received a Purple Heart for his service. He was also commended for his technological improvements of communication devices and promoted to Corporal prior to discharge.

Bill attended Carroll College in Helena, and earned his nursing degree there. He planned to run big equipment on construction jobs, but felt that nursing would give him a warm job in the winter.

He met his wife Helen Sargent during nurse's training at Warm Springs. They were married June 30, 1957. They began their life together in Wyoming where their four daughters were born. They acquired a large collection of friends and memories while living in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming. SEE MORE In 1965, the family moved to Livingston, where they resided for one year before moving to Big Timber . It is here where he worked as a nurse at the Sweet Grass County Memorial Hospital for five years followed by a 20-year service with the Montana Department of Highways maintenance division. He retired in 1992.

Bill loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman, hunter and enjoyed camping with his family. A sheepherder was once watching him catch fish and offered him $40 for his pole and tackle exactly as it was rigged (twice what he had paid for it). It is unlikely that the sheepherder caught the fish the way that Bill did. Bill had the knack.

Bill also enjoyed playing cards and had an ear for music that was admired by all. He could pick out any song on his mandolin, guitar, piano, you name it. He made bass sounds out of an old wash tub for the Kitchen Band. He enjoyed listening to all types of music and he loved to dance. Bill and Helen were active in Dance Club in Big Timber for many years.

Bill was an active member of the Masons and held multiple officer positions in the Doric Lodge #53 in Big Timber. Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen; and four daughters, Carol Olsen (Eric) of Shoshone, Idaho, Kathryn of Keizer, Ore., Patricia Pedula-Boles (John) of Virginia City and Barb (Chris Risser) of Billings; brother Robert, sisters Joan Smith and Linda Pedula; four grandchildren (Kaci, Kelli, Joshua and Amanda); and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, step-parents and brother Frank.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Big Timber.

Memorials in Bill's name may be made to the Big Timber Senior Citizens Center, Pioneer Medical Center or the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Big Timber.

Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.

The Billings Gazette â€" Jan. 21, 2011