Missoula – Wild Bill (William Edward) Ochsner died peacefully on September 4, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Hospital, of lung cancer, with his son Kory by his side.
Wild Bill was born in Missoula, MT to Jake Ochsner and Hilda Treichel Ochsner on August 1, 1945. He was the youngest in the family and had three siblings: Evelyn, Lillian and Richard.
His love of music began as a child playing with his family and continued throughout his life. He graduated from Missoula County High School in 1963 and lived up to his name Wild Bill playing piano and guitar in clubs throughout Montana. He even opened Wild Bill’s Saloon in Lolo, MT. He married Evelyn Zawada in 1965 and had three children: Scott Ochsner, Daniel Ochsner (died shortly after birth), and Kory Ochsner. In 1982 the family moved to Phoenix, AZ where Bill played music nightly, started his Birthday Club, and managed a number of restaurants (Rusty Nail, Pinnacle Peak Patio and Wild Bill’s Country, to name a few). In 1995 the family moved back to Missoula, bringing Wild Bill’s entertainment with them. Bill and Evie later decided to part ways.
Bill felt it was important to share God’s love with others and did so in many ways. He was a spectacular fundraiser and used his skills as an MC and auctioneer to raise millions of dollars for numerous organizations. He was also a Shriner, especially finding happiness in helping children. He wanted others to know how much the Lord had changed his life and spread his Word through his weekly radio show Wild Bill’s Gospel Hour, his Sunday night Gospel Gathering at Orchard Homes and by playing gospel music at churches throughout Montana and the Northwest.
Bill met his wife Linda, in 2001, through mutual friends and proposed to her on his radio show in 2002. They were happily married for 13 years living in Florence, MT with their two much loved Schnauzers, Samantha and Katie. They loved to ride together on Bill’s Harley Davidson or take Jeep rides through the bison range. They also spent many joyful hours traveling to Bill’s numerous musical engagements.
Bill will be remembered as a practical joker who loved making people laugh. It was his belief that laughter was the ultimate healing art. He was devoted to his family, his community and his relationship with God.
Bill is survived by his 101 year old mother, Hilda Ochsner; his wife, Linda Ochsner; his sons Scott Ochsner (Selena) and Kory Ochsner (Heidi); his siblings Evelyne Fehr and Lillian Davis; his grandchildren Cody Ochsner, Kacy Ochsner and Fox Ochsner; and his stepchildren Brett Hardt and Jennifer Boshart.
The funeral will be held at Grace Methodist Church on Thursday September 10, 2015 at 1 p.m. There will be a private family burial at City Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Missoula Food Bank in honor of Wild Bill Ochsner. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.