William "Bill" Sullivan, 81, Fairview, MT

Funeral services for William "Bill" Sullivan, 81, of Fairview, MT were at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairview, MT. Cremation will followed services under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney. Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

William Thomas Sullivan, of rural Fairview, MT died peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, December 31, 2014 at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney, MT.

He was born on August 8, 1933 in Nohly, MT, the son of Manford and Iva (Yadon) Sullivan. He graduated from Fairview High School and married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Avonne Gardner on January 19, 1952. Bill and Darlene were married for 53 years and were blessed with seven children, 24 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Bill worked as a propane delivery person for a number of area companies until he retired in 1995. After he retired, he spent much of his time working in his yard, feeding the birds, deer and other wildlife that came visiting, and collecting bird houses, many that were occupied every spring.

He enjoyed many trips to the Fort Peck Summer Theater with family and friends, spent time with a number of friends that he had known since high school and with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For the past ten years he especially enjoyed developing his relationship with his daughter Deanna, who lives with her parents since suffering a brain aneurysm in elementary school.

Bill's family would like to thank Jerry and Sharon Gardner, Darlene's brother and his wife, for their care and support for the many years they have been the Sullivan's neighbors.

Bill is survived by: his five children, William (Marsha) Sullivan, Jr., Sterling, Il, Rollie (Sandy) Sullivan, Sidney, MT, Connie (John) Mason, Opheim, MT, Kevin (Jackie) Sullivan, Watford City, ND, and Deanna Sullivan, Fairview, MT; his sister, Betty Hayden, Fairview, MT; 24 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Manford and Iva, his wife Darlene, sons Jeff and Kelly, sister, Elmina Cook, and great-grandchild Levi Frick.