Obituary: William Robert Lane
Author: Family of William Robert Lane
William Robert Lane
Family of William Robert Lane
March 26, 1940 – January 30, 2025
William Robert “Bill” Lane, age 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home on January 30, 2025.
Bill was born in Bozeman, Montana on March 26, 1940, to Alvin “Bud” and Christina (Rohla) Lane.
Bill grew up on the Sam Lane Ranch in Willow Creek, Montana. He attended Willow Creek Elementary, graduated from Three Forks High School, and attended the Butte School of Mines and Carroll College.
He spent his younger years working at his parents’ GMC dealership in Three Forks, and then again for Bud Lane and Sons Construction. Bill was an understated but immensely talented businessman, mechanic, welder/fabricator, and heavy equipment operator. He started Wm. R. Lane Construction in the late 1980s, which has since become one of the premier custom concrete forming businesses in southwestern Montana.
Bill was inquisitive and imaginative. He had numerous hobbies and interests, from beekeeping to building and racing cars. Additionally, he had a passion for the outdoors and couldn’t wait for hunting season or the opportunity to go fishing.
Bill married Joyce Johnson in 1964 and were happily married until her untimely passing. He remarried to Marilyn Whitman in 1999.
Bill was a man of great character, integrity, and generosity, and was a patient teacher of wisdom. He was larger than life itself. Words cannot convey the depth of what a wonderful man he was. Bill cherished his family and the people in his life.
He is preceded in death by his parents Alvin “Bud” and Christina Lane, wife Joyce, and brother Ronald Lane.
Bill is survived by his wife Marilyn Lane; brother Edward (Ana) Lane; daughters Nancy (Gary) Martin, Nicole (Steve) Ito; sons Jay (Jennifer) Lane, Jim (Christie) Lane; 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
A visitation was held at 10 am on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 101 S Walnut Street, Townsend, MT 59644. The Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 am. Following the funeral mass, a reception was held at the church. Burial proceeded after the reception at Willow Creek Cemetery, Willow Creek, MT.
In lieu of flowers, donations to an organization of your choice, Holy Cross Cemetery or Willow Creek Cemetery would be greatly appreciated in memory of Bill.
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