William Matthew “Bill” Kosola passed away November 1, 2018, after an extended illness at St. James Hospital in Butte, MT.
He was born in Butte on May 8, 1936 as the only son to William Matthew Kosola and Esther Louise Kosola of Boulder.
He attended Boulder Elementary School and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1955.
Bill was very active in the Boulder community as a youth helping out on the family ranch (Kylers) and 4H as he raised grand champion steers. He enlisted into the National Guard and received a medical discharge due to his asthma.
He was active in building the Boulder Swimming Pool and was a member of the Boulder Fire Department and Boulder Ambulance for many years.
Bill loved the Boulder area as he had a lot of family and friends in the area. He and his mom (Esther) started Sunset Trailer Court with 16 trailers/lots and it grew to 60 lots. Bill was active in the Methodist Church, Masons, Eastern Star and the Scottish Rights.
Bill met and married Judy Kosola and welcomed her three sons – Gerry, Francis “Frank” and Terry Skaw – into the family. Bill and Judy had three more kids Matthew, David and Marion Kosola.
Bill worked for the road and maintenance department for Jefferson County for many years before working for the Department of Transportation for the State of Montana. He drove school bus for Aaron Rimmick for several years and he also drove the mine bus for visitors to the Free Enterprise Health Mine. Bill started his political career and served as a city councilman for 30 years.
He was proceeded in death by his father William Mathew Kosola, mother Esther Louise Kosola, daughter Marion Louise Kosola and daughter-in-law Lisa Skaw as well as many extended family members.
Bill loved hunting, fishing, camping and visiting with family and friends while sitting under the tree drinking lemonade with his numerous pets in tow.
He is survived by his wife Judy of 49 years; his stepsons Gerry, Francis “Frank” (Lisa) and Terry (Julie) Skaw; children Matthew, David (Tammy) Kosola; and grandkids Zack and Chelsea Skaw, Patrick, Lizzie and Gerry Jo Skaw, Bethany Manuel (Kosola) Brandon and Braden Kosola and several great grandkids.
Services will be held at K&L Mortuary on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. with a graveside service to follow at the Boulder Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Boulder Senior Center.
