William Harold Finch

Funeral services for William "Bill" H. Finch will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 10th, 2011 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Pastor Ernie Bishop of the Gillette Church of Christ officiating. A Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Gillette Memorial Chapel prior to the service. Burial will take place at a later date in Forsyth, Montana.Bill Finch, age 78, passed away at Campbell Memorial Hospital on Monday October 3rd 2011 from natural causes.Bill was born May 1st, 1933 in Forsyth, Montana, the son of Walter and Leola (Kamhoot) Finch. He attended grade school in Coal Strip, Montana, and in Rosebud, Montana during his freshman thru junior year of high school. His family moved to Blackfoot, Idaho where he completed his senior year and graduated high school. After high school Bill attended Idaho State College for two years, where he studied electronics. In August of 1953 he volunteered to join the Navy. After boot camp in San Diego, California he attended an Electronics Technician school at Treasure Island of San Francisco Bay. Following his electronics schooling he was stationed on the USS Laws 558. In August of 1957 Bill was transferred to the USS Yarnal 541, then to the San Diego Naval Station where he was honorably discharged with the rank of E T II (Electronic Technician, 2nd class Petty Officer). After his honorable discharge Bill moved to Martinsdale, Montana to be with family. Bill then attended Montana State University, where he graduated in 1967 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Industrial Arts of Industry. After realizing he would have to leave the Mountain West for employment, Bill returned to school earning a teaching certification in Industrial Arts with a minor in Economics. While attending college Bill met and married his wife Betty on February 21st, 1969. Together the couple had three daughters. Bill taught Auto Mechanics for 23 years at Campbell County High School. He especially enjoyed watching his students participate in the Plymouth Trouble Shooting Contest. In 1976 his students won the State Contest and earned a trip to Chicago to compete in the Nationals. Bill also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He was a member of the American Legion Post 42 and the Gillette AM Lions. He participated in the Four-J Pen Pal Program, and volunteered his time for the Senior Center News Letter and the Gillette Masters Special Olympics.Bill is survived by his wife of 42 years, Betty of Gillette, Wyoming; his daughter Vera (Sam) Neal of Westville, Indiana; brothers: Jim Finch of Billings, Montana and John Finch of Fairfield, Montana; Aunt Lavina Edgell of Forsyth, Montana; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his grandparents, sisters: Leola Finch, Joyce Funk, and Hazel Gee; and daughters: Barbara and Karen Finch.Memorials and condolences may be sent in Bill's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via our website at www.gillettememorialchapel.comFuneral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716