William "Bill" Emmett Connolly

William “Bill” Emmett Connolly

On July 8th, 2026, Bill passed away with family at his side at Copper Ridge Health and Rehabilitation in Butte, Montana as the result of injuries he sustained from a fall in his home. Bill was 89 years old.

Bill Connolly was born in New Castle, Colorado on December 27, 1936. He was born to Leila Mae and Emmett Connolly. Bill moved to Anaconda when he was 12 years old. He attended junior high and high school in Anaconda, graduating from Anaconda High School in 1955.

Bill worked summers during high school for Dee Motor Co. and BA&P Railroad. After high school, he worked on the smelter, where he learned the trade of carpentry.

Bill married Judy Lee Goheen on March 9, 1958. They were married for 43 years and loved their life together until Judy’s passing in 2001. Bill was married a second time, to Barbara Mae Eklund, from September 2007, until Barb’s passing in 2015.

Shortly after Bill and Judy’s marriage, Bill joined the National Guard. He received a medical discharge in 1961 as the result of an industrial accident.

Bill worked for several construction companies, including Knuckey Construction and Lutey Construction in Butte, and Walker Construction in Anaconda. In 1974, Bill went to work for the Anaconda Job Corps, where he worked as a carpentry instructor for 27 years. Bill was a very skilled craftsman who was proud of his work, often pointing out the many buildings and projects he had built and worked on through the years. He was especially proud of his work with Job Corps. He believed in guiding young people who needed a helping hand, as well as a vocation.

Bill loved the outdoors as he was an avid hunter and fisherman in his younger years. He took his family camping, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling, creating wonderful family memories. Bill loved making wood crafts that Judy painted that are proudly displayed by friends and family. Of Bill’s many accomplishments, he was most grateful for his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

Bill was a member of Hope Lutheran Church. His faith and the church family were very important to him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wives Judy and Barb, sister Marie and brothers-in-law Floyd Larkin and Jim Curran, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Wes and Amy Goheen and father-in-law Clayton Goheen and mother-in-law Tomina Goheen.

Bill is survived by his sons Mike (Kora) Connolly of Laurel, Mark (Kristie) Connolly of Anaconda, grandchildren Heather (Mike) Ditch of Helena, Dustin (Heather) Connolly of Billings, and Nathan Connolly of Anaconda; great-grandchildren Charleigh, Emette and Daisy Ditch, and Ella and Oliver Connolly. Also surviving Bill are nieces and nephews Lori (John) Hulbert and Paula (Ron) Steinman of Washington, David (Patty) Curran of Glendive, Tom (Laurel) Curran of Deer Lodge, JoAnn (Don) Peters of Billings, Sharon (Jeff) Kinzer of Pennsylvania, and various great nieces and nephews.

The celebration of life will take place at Hope Lutheran Church on Friday, July 17th 2026 at 11:00 am. A luncheon will take place after the celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials or donations to Hope Lutheran Church, Anaconda, Montana, Honeybee Hospice, Butte, Montana, Community Hospital and Nursing Home Foundation, Anaconda Montana, or donor’s choice.

Bill’s family would like to extend special thanks to Honeybee Hospice, who made Bill’s final days more pleasant and comfortable.