William (Bill) LaMeres

William J LaMeres

May 5, 1945 – January 10, 2018

William James LaMeres (Bill) passed away January 10, 2018, at his home in Syracuse with family by his side.  He fought a long, hard battle with cancer but it finally got the best of him.

Bill was born in Minot, ND, on May 5, 1945, the son of William (Bill) Jerome and Vivian Wheeler LaMeres.  He spent the first 5 years of his life on a farm outside of Wibeaux, MT then moved to Billings, MT where he attended Holy Rosary Grade School and 3 years of high school at Billings Central.  He graduated from James Monroe High School in Sepulveda, CA, 1963.

Bill was married to Kathleen Walsh for almost 52 years and together they raised 3 boys, Brian, Bruce, and Brock.  Bill was very proud of his 3 boys and delighted in every one of their successes.

In his lifetime, Bill has worked as a letter carrier for the Post Office, a motel manager, a bartender, a computer operator, a computer programmer, a bank auditor, a bookkeeper, and a tax practitioner.  In 1996, he started his own business, Montana Professional Services, which provided accounting services.

He served in the Montana National Guard from 1966 to 1971.

In his younger days, Bill enjoyed fishing, camping, and golf.  Then it changed to riding bikes, spending time with family, and manicured lawns.  Then it changed to working on his computer and eating.

Bill is survived by his wife, Kathleen, sons; Brian (Lisa) of Bozeman, MT; Bruce (Lina), Layton, UT; and Brock (JoAnn) of Bozeman, MT; 3 grandchildren; Alexis and Kylie of Bozeman, MT; and William Isaac of Layton, UT; sisters; Kathleen Riehle, Rapid City, SD; Clare LaMeres (Greg Bain) of Lakeside, MT; Mary LaMeres of Reno, NV; and Patty Smith (Bill) of Kalispell, MT; brother; Bob (Michelle), Albuquerque, NM; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

Bill had a wonderful sense of humor and laughed loud and hard at anything that amused him.  He loved his grandchildren as much as humanly possible.  The last years of Bill’s life were enhanced by little Isaac who came to see “Grampa” almost every day.

A special thanks to Jon, Rosemary, and Lisa from Adagio Hospice who made his last days comfortable and his passing peaceful.  We will remember your kindness and compassion always.

Bill’s Memorial Services to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.

“You can shed tears now that he is gone or you can smile because he has lived.”