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Bill Hubber Obituary
Author: Jan Hubber

Bill Hubber

Jan Hubber

Bill was born in Great Falls, Montana, to Soloma and Will J. Hubber on February 7, 1945.

When he was 5, the 3 of them moved into the newly built family home on South Tracy in Bozeman, MT, where the family was joined by his little brother James Hubber.

Bill grew up in Bozeman fishing the Gallatin River whenever possible and excelling in school. He completed his BA and Masters in Mathematics at Montana State University. During his college days he helped his parents build their dream cabin in the Gallatin Valley and continued his fishing exploits with his junior high fishing buddies, Mel Aamold and Paul Griffin. The cabin was a place for happy family gatherings and a gateway to many wonderful fly fishing adventures in Yellowstone Park.

After completing his master's degree, Bill taught mathematics at North Idaho College where he met his lifelong friend, Tony Stewart. He worked with Tony on preventing condominiums being built on beachfront property close to the College. Today, the beachfront is a lovely public beach area.

Bill missed Montana deeply and turned his fascination and skill with computer programming into a job in Helena, MT with the Office of Public Instruction. Throughout his career at the State, he developed a database for Gambling Control, worked at the Board of Occupational Licensing and completed his career as the Systems Analyst at the Board of Investments. During his time in Helena, he served on the Helena Citizens Council, as well as the Zoning Commission and the Planning Board. He was also an active member of the Democratic Central Committee.

In 1993, he married Jan Oos and acquired a wife, an 18- year- old daughter, a 20- year- old son, 3 dogs and a cat. It was a home full of great discussions and much love.

Bill retired in 1996 when Jan took a job in Glasgow, MT. He found new friends in a coffee group that met every weekday morning at the Johnny Café, but he mourned the loss of the mountains and closeness to the cabin and his old fishing haunts. Because Jan’s employer was open to telecommuting, in 1999, Jan, Bill and their 3 dogs moved to Townsend, MT, to a home in Lakeview Manor.

Bill spent hours turning the yard into a parklike oasis. He also continued his involvement in community activities. He was a Rotarian, Crimson Bluffs member, the President of the Food Pantry Board, Social Services Board and eventually the Broadwater Health Center Board. He also served on the Canyon Ferry Trust Board, where the financial expertise he acquired at the Board of Investments was greatly valued.

When Jan retired in 2015, knowing that Bill was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, they stepped away from community involvement and spent time enjoying their home and yard, traveling to see family and attending their grandchildren’s sporting events.

The disease diminished Bill, both physically and mentally, and he spent the last year and a half in the amazing care of the staff at Billings Clinic Broadwater. He truly loved his daily blueberry milkshakes from the Mercantile, listening to old-time rock and roll and watching sports on TV. Alzheimer’s claimed his life on June 19, 2026, with beloved granddaughter Bailey by his side, trying to locate the right music channel for him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Jan; his brother, Jim and his wife Choi; his son Chris Oos and Chris’s wife Dee; his daughter Valerie Baraza; his grandson Cameron, his granddaughters, Bailey, Kendra and Gabrielle; his great-grandsons Max, Jackson and Waylen; and his nieces Laura and Jennifer Hubber.

Thank you to the compassionate and capable staff at the Billings Clinic Broadwater, who became like family and gave Bill exceptional care during his time there. And thank you to all our friends who kept us going when days were tough.

We will remember Bill with a casual celebration of life on Saturday, June 27, at the Lodge, 131 So. Spruce, Townsend at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Barbara Kirscher Education Fund, PO Box 1215, Townsend, MT, The Broadwater Food Pantry, PO Box 1164, Townsend, MT, The Lewis and Clark Humane Society, or a charity dear to your heart.

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Image 1 Caption: Townsend resident Bill Hubber Photo Provided by Family