Cloudy, 36° F
(Aug. 31, 2005)
Graveside services were conducted Friday, Sept. 2 at Crown Hill Cemetery for William Meyer Coombs, Jr. who died Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Powell Valley Care Center. He was 80.
He was born Jan. 13, 1925, at Laurel, Mont., son of William Meyer Coombs and August Forence (Robison) Coombs. He attended diesel mechanic trade school and married Margaret Elizabeth Lyall Bizek in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada, on Oct. 28, 1949.
They lived in Laurel and Shepherd, Mont., before moving to Powell. He was a farmer and self-employed businessman.
A paratrooper, he was a veteran of the 129th Army Airborne where he served as a demolition specialist. He was awarded a military victory award and sharpshooters award.
He was a member of the Methodist Church, Eagles, Eastern Star, Masonic Lodge, Medicine Wheel Snowgoers and Powell Valley Four Wheelers. He enjoyed time spent hunting, fishing and snowmobiling.
Survivors include his wife Margaret of Powell; two sons, Bob (Eddie) Coombs of Alturas, Calif., and Ray (Karen) Coombs of Powell; two daughters, Jan (Terry) Byrd of Billings, Mont., and Patty (Scott) Branstetter of Laurel; two sisters, Irene Johnson and Ellen Ready of Billings; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Donna.
The family would appreciate memorials to a charity of choice. Thompson Funeral Home handled arrangements.
