William LaPierre Engle

William L. Engle, age 74, of Kalispell, Montana formally of the Broadus/Belle Creek, MT area, went to be with his Lord, December 29, 2012 surrounded by family at the home of his daughter near Gillette, WY. Memorial services will be held in Kalispell in April, scattering of his ashes will be at the Reisland Ranch in Belle Creek, Montana this summer. Services times will be announced at a later date.Bill was born February 20, 1938 in Glendive, Montana. He was raised by his grandparents William S. and Alice Engle near Springview, NE. At age seventeen they returned to Glendive, MT where Bill joined the Montana National Guard serving nine years. Bill married Irene Tuhy in 1958 in Glendive, MT.He learned about heavy equipment and mechanics working for Davis & Engle Construction and Ross & Power. In 1962 he worked for George Rake's Construction in the oilfields of Eastern Montana and N.W. North Dakota before being transferred to the booming oilfield in Belle Creek, MT in 1967. In 1977 Bill and Irene formed E & E Oil Field Construction Inc. building pipelines and providing roustabout services in the Wyoming and Montana oilfields. In 1988, Bill and his son Jeff moved a hobby sawmill to Kalispell, MT, developing it into a timber, and by-products from sawdust business, creating a quality pellet for use in pellet stoves. He retired from the plant in 2003 but continued to work with his backhoe and welder until 2012 when his health prevented him from such activities.Bill got his private plane license at age 31 and his CDL license at age 72. He loved challenges and was gifted at designing and building projects. He built their first color tube TV, his first boat, and the automation their plant. There wasn't a job too big for him to take on. If you put a welder/cutting torch, scrap iron and nuts and bolts in his hand he would happily design, build or redesign someone else's finished project. His favorite saying was "what engineer put this together." Bill's favorite hobby was using his skills helping his children and teaching his son in laws. Bill and Irene enjoyed camping, hunting, boating and fishing with their children and other family members. They also enjoyed vacationing in Mexico and state side with Irene's sister and husband. Every summer they looked forward to "Camping" in the motor home, visiting children and family members, and spending time with their church family at the Nazarene Church camp meetings. Bill only missed 4 camp meetings in 22 years.Bill is survived by his wife Irene; son, Jeffrey (Maryln) of Biddle, MT; daughters, Lisa Engle (Chuck Knuppel) of Columbia Falls, MT; Theresa (Mitch) Burley of Gillette, WY; Melissa (Paul) Lewis of Eatonville, WA; Vanessa (Kurtis) Smitko of Grand Rapids, MI; mother, Rose Vaage of Kalispell, MT; Uncle L.K. (Hazel) Engle of Ainsworth, NE; sister in laws, Helen and Shirley, 12 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, many friends, and his favorite "Hound", Cuddles.He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father William S. Engle, step -mother Jeannie Engle, stepfather Owen Vaage, uncles: K. L. and Lester Engle, brothers: Tom and Keith Engle, sister and brother in law Arline and Cliff Bonner, nephews David Engle, and David M. Engle.Memorials and condolences may be sent in Bill's name in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via our website; www.walkerfuneralgillette.comFuneral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716