William Thomas Sheahan

On June 3, 2024 William Thomas Sheahan (Bill) passed away at the age of 96 in Anaconda, MT. Bill was born in Miles City, Montana on June 19, 1927. He was preceded in death by his parents Neil and Blanche Sheahan.

Bill and Margaret Ann (Babe) Clark were married on September 14, 1946 at St. Peter’s Church in Anaconda. They were married for 70 years until her death on March 21, 2016. Margaret was the daughter of Marg and Cha Clark, and sister to Billy Clark.

Bill entered the Navy on June 28, 1943. He had just turned 16. He was honorably discharged in March of 1946 as a Seaman 1st Class. His ship, the USS Zellars was hit by a Kamikaze pilot on April 12, 1945. Twenty-nine crew members lost their lives and another 39 were wounded.

Bill worked on the BA&P railroad in Anaconda from 1946 until 1969 when he moved with his wife and youngest daughter, Betty Jean to Portola, CA and began to work as a locomotive engineer for the Western Pacific Railroad which eventually became the Union Pacific Railroad. During that time he was privileged to have engineered the California Zepher several times.

In addition to trains, Bill’s other passion was football. He was a diehard San Francisco Forty-Niners fan. He also was a football referee for many years in Anaconda and Phillipsburg along with his good friend Pat Connors. When there was a strike Pat always made sure that Bill had a job as the ice skating rink supervisor.

Bill is survived by his three children Patsy Sheahan Davis, Terry Sheahan (Connie Haffey) and Betty Jean Dolling Lee. (Larry Lee)

He had 7 grandchildren: Patrick Nye, Jamey Nye (Tara), Craig Sheahan (Laura), Mark Sheahan, Charlie Dolling, Kristie Thorpe (John), and Garrett Dolling. (Kathrin)

Bill also had 12 great grandchildren:  Camille Nye, Connor Nye, Bram Sheahan, Atley Sheahan, Nicholas Dolling, Roxanna Thorpe, MaKenna Thorpe, Tucker Thorpe, Hazel Thorpe, Kimberly Dolling, Leon Dolling, and Oliver Dolling.

Bill was also very close to his sister-in-law Valdean Clark. (Billy) Extended family also included Valdean and Billy’s children Tracy Brown ( Jimmy), Pat Clark, Jana Clark (deceased), Greg Clark (deceased) (Erin), Jana Clark (deceased), and Becky Clark.

The family would especially like to thank Jerly Schultz, Glenna Reynolds and the wonderful people who made up the staff at New Horizons Assisted Living. You made sure that Bill had five wonderful years filled with field trips, games, holiday parties, BIRTHDAY parties , and personal videos on Facebook A special thank you has to go out to Norma Clark Jones who was the world’s best breakfast chef and also his cousin.

A graveside service will be held at Mt. Olivet cemetery on August 3, 2024 at 10 a.m. followed by a luncheon and movie at the Washoe Theater.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to our local American Legion Post 21.

Hope you are enjoying family, friends, and your beloved pets in Heaven, Dad. Until we meet again -Tap ‘er light.