Hamilton – Lois Ruth Mauger Willi, 90, of Hamilton, passed March 31, 2014 at Valley View Estates.
She was born November 2, 1923 in Midwest, Wyoming to the late Clarence and Audrie Mauger. She went to school in Midwest, WY and in 1940 the family moved to the Bitterroot. She married Lloyd K. Clark (not the school teacher!) in 1941 and they later divorc
ed. In 1948 she married Ben Willi. They had a very busy and interesting life together.
What a lady, there wasn’t too much that she didn’t or couldn’t do! She played guitar, piano, and an accordion and sang very well! She used to tie flies for all of their fishing friends. She was in one of the first mounted drill teams at the fairgrounds, long before the Mountettes. She could sew anything, upholstery, costumes, see a picture of a dress she liked and make it up, usually no pattern! Ceramics, jewelry, lapidary, snowmobiling, and water skiing were a few of her hobbies. She loved animals of all kinds and was a very good cook, too.
She spent many years as a dispatcher at the Sheriff’s office.
She and her husband Ben spent many years working in Alaska, she loved that. She loved to go rock hunting in Wyoming with family.
Lois is survived by her daughters, Jeanne Clark Burruss (Charlie) and Carla Rae Willi Reich (Darrel); four grandchildren, Sandra Burrus Ryan (Mike), Gary Burrus (Kim), Tara Sands and Bobby Reich (Amber); 11 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
She led a very full life, always busy crafting something special for someone! She’ll be missed by family and friends.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton with her grandson Gary Burrus officiating. A reception will follow at the Community Room at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.