On June 29, 2017 William Ross Epperly passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. “Papa” Bill died as he lived with great character and compassion. Pancreatic Cancer was his battle these past several months eventually succumbing to the disease after being diagnosed in late February.
Bill was born in Billings on Jan. 3, 1938 to Les and Evelyn Epperly. His childhood was spent in Miles City and Butte. His love for athletics began at an early age as he played a variety of sports as a youngster. He later became a multi-sport star for Butte High School graduating in 1956. Bill then went on to Montana State University and played basketball for the Bobcats. While in school, he met and married the love of his life Karen Kay Blankenship. Their loving and loyal marriage began on Aug. 31, 1958 and lasted almost 60 years.
After finishing college, Bill enlisted in the Army in 1961 and finished his military career as a First Lieutenant in 1963. He then began his teaching and coaching career in Forsyth. Just three years later in 1966, he moved his family to Kalispell where he taught and coached at Flathead High School. But then in 1971, he took the opportunity to become a head basketball coach by taking a teaching position in Lewistown at Fergus High School. Five years later, Bill returned to his roots by moving his family to Butte as he ventured into the college ranks becoming the head basketball coach and athletic director for Montana Tech.
Coming full circle, Bill moved his family back to Kalispell in 1979. He returned to Flathead High School teaching business classes and coaching basketball and track for the Braves. He retired from teaching in 1993.
However, Bill never stopped coaching. He continued to coach basketball around the valley spending several years as an assistant coach in the boys and girls programs in Bigfork. He also coached “travel” ball teams, taking advantage of the opportunity to coach his grandchildren as they began their athletic endeavors. In addition, Bill returned to coaching track as an assistant coach for the Braves track program until this past spring. It goes without saying, he dedicated much of his time to the youth of the Flathead Valley.
Bill was inducted into the Montana Coaches Hall of Fame in 1990, the Kalispell Legends Wall of Fame in 2005 and, more recently, was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in June of 2017.
Bill was a loving family man. Known as “Papa” to his children and grandchildren, he actively mentored them, setting a great example of character and conduct. “Papa” and Grammy Kay were “road warriors” as they traveled to support their 10 grandchildren in their activities around the state.
Bill enjoyed camping, fishing and hiking in Glacier National Park. In his later years, Bill loved golfing with family and friends especially being a part of the golfing “angels” with Walshy, Scalfy, Sider and Geno.
Bill is survived by his wife Kay and their four children: Joanie Bowen and her husband Bruce of Polson, Jeff Epperly and his wife Kyra of Kalispell, Jim Epperly and his wife Heather of Bigfork, and Julie Epperly and her husband Jeff Dohn of Missoula. Bill is also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Keegan Bowen, Hattie Bowen, Emma Epperly, Ezra Epperly, Evan Epperly, Anders Epperly, Isak Epperly, Jake Arledge, Ellie Arledge and Aden Dohn.
A private service will be held at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 11 at 2 p.m. An open reception honoring Bill’s life will be held at Buffalo Hill Golf Course from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Epperly family would like to thank Hospice and their amazing team of caregivers as well as the love and support of many friends and families who came alongside us in our time of need. Memorials are suggested to be made to Home Options Hospice or to the Flathead High School Basketball Program.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.