William ‘Bill’ Pelton; 1946-2024

Bill’s upbringing and interests led him to Montana State University (MSU) where he received a bachelor of science degree in animal science and ag production. He remained a loyal and proud Bobcat throughout his life. To support his family and to pay for school, he milked at the college dairy and did custom hay stacking.

He married Colleen Weast and was blessed with a set of twin daughters in 1966, Marci and Darci, while still attending MSU. He continued to participate in agricultural related leadership opportunities and was recognized as the Little International Livestock Show Overall Showman in 1967 and participated on the MSU Livestock Judging Team. In 1968, he was blessed with a third daughter, Gerele.

In 1970, he began his career as a loan consultant at Midland Production Credit Association. Bill worked managing feedlots in Shepherd, Vaughn, Choteau and Laurel before relocating his family back to Absarokee. He assumed a regional sales position for Moorman Manufacturing and was named as a top 25 salesman nationwide.

For the remainder of his professional life, he had many agricultural based positions that allowed him to support rural families with their financial planning and insurance needs, ag marketing, animal science and ag production.

All of this experience led Bill to open his own livestock marketing and consulting business, Bill Pelton Livestock. Bill thrived in business ownership by utilizing his skills and network and providing customer service that he felt all rural families deserved. Bill truly lived his motto: “We work every day, not just sale day!”

Bill was committed to community service. He donated his time to many non-profit organizations, serving on the board of directors for the NILE and as a founder and director of the NILE Merit Heifer Program. He also served on the Billings Chamber Ag Committee, the Metra Park Advisory Committee, the Vocation Advisory Scholarship Fund for Absarokee High School, and the Stillwater County Fairground Committee. He also supported the Absarokee Lending Library. He loved working with youth who had an interest in agricultural careers and serving rural communities.

When Bill was not working, you could find him helping others to gather cattle, brand or fix fences. He loved every minute he rode horses, especially the last few years on Old Yeller. He was 100% Cowboy—from the C to the Y.

Bill had a strong faith and served his God. He had an abiding belief in Psalm 23 and John 3:16—whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Although Bill will be missed, heaven needed another good cowboy, and Bill was one of the best.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: Fishtail Community Center, Montana FFA Foundation or NILE Merit Heifer Program.