William "Billy" Anton Gallagher

Heaven gained another angel on December 15, 2017, when Billy Gallagher, age 52, passed away from the dreaded disease, ALS. Diagnosed in February of 2017, Billy was determined to live life to its fullest. He would often say "God picked our family for this. He has a plan for me". His faith was unwavering, and he was never afraid to die because he was going to be in the presence of Jesus. His strength kept his family strong when the storm was fierce. Our hearts are broken, and he will be missed dearly, but God took him home quickly to end his suffering. Born William Anton Gallagher, Jr., on January 5, 1965 in Philipsburg, Montana, to William (Bill) and Ellen (Murphy) Gallagher. He proudly grew up in Anaconda, Montana. Billy's excitement for life was transparent and he had fun everywhere he went. His beautiful smile sparkled, and it emulated his optimism, excitement and joy for life. Billy excelled at many things. He was an awesome Dad, husband, son, brother, uncle, fisherman, hunter and all around good guy. Summers were spent participating in sports, building the cabin at Georgetown Lake, camping and fishing. Fall was a very special time of year because it was finally time to go elk hunting. Most everything Billy did came naturally to him. He could hit a baseball right or left handed, encouraged teammates and brought out the best in them. It was in high school that he had the nicknames of Bronco Billy and Myron. He placed the moniker of Cowhead on Frank Moreni, his lifelong friend. He was a tough-nosed football player playing middle linebacker and fullback. He and his teammates would often tell the opposing team "we are running the ball right here", and point to the place where Billy was going to run, and they still could not stop him. He was a proud member of the 1982 Copperhead Football team and earned All State recognition as a linebacker his Senior season. He loved playing baseball with the Anaconda A's. He was awarded a trophy for having the highest batting average of any player at the State tournament that was held in Anaconda. On a baseball trip to Canada when the team was at the border crossing, one of the border patrol ladies asked, "Are you all Americans?" to which Billy coyly replied "All-Americans?? Heck lady, we are just trying to win a baseball game!" Sports were also an important part of Billy's years at Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana. We would joke he was #49 in the program but #1 in our hearts. He played tight end for the Dawgs and was a tough nosed kid who took pride in blocking but could catch anything thrown to him. Billy made great memories with his roommates Kirby Bright and Steve Lang. WMC is also where he met his future wife Shannon Wildes, both graduating in 1989. In the late 80's, Billy ventured to Alaska to commercial salmon fish, which led to him moving to Alaska permanently in 1996. He loved the Alaskan lifestyle. Commercial fishing, crabbing, guiding for bear hunters all made him so happy. His life was full and busy with careers in construction work, Alaska Airlines, Mountain Tops, and in 2015 he found his dream job at the Rabbit Creek Shotgun Range. Managing the range, coaching youth league, working with people and guns made him the happiest. Billy loved returning to Montana for elk season and to visit his family at the cabin in Rock Creek. His trips in the summer were legendary amongst nieces and nephews for the massive water fights, and the fall season brought elk hunting and "G trees". Harvesting over 35 plus elk during his lifetime, this past fall was a particularly special season with nephew Sean and good friends Dan Duncan, Bob Orrino and Seichii Noda. The biggest highlight in Billy's life was the birth of his son Kirby Thomas Gallagher on June 3, 2009. His love for Kirby could be seen in everything they did. He taught him the importance of God and prayer, how to hit a baseball, and instilled in him a love of fishing, hunting, and the outdoors. A special highlight was watching Kirby catch and reel in a king salmon on Ship Creek this last summer. The family prayer begins with "Thank you Lord for our wonderful life" and through the storm of ALS their faith remained anchored in God. Billy is cheering those Dallas Cowboys and Fight'n Irish on to victory! Billy is survived by his wife, Shannon and son, Kirby, of Anchorage, AK; his parents Bill and Ellen Gallagher of Rock Creek, MT; mother-in-law Diane Wildes of Anchorage, AK; brother Mike and Sarah Gallagher, Butte, MT, brother Pat and Marcy Gallagher, Anaconda, MT. His Montana nephews and nieces: Jack, McKenzie, Kiernan and Sean Gallagher; Alaska relatives' Big Mex, America, Gerardo, Reyes, Rina and Gus Cruz, Gillian, Milan, Manu, Juan and Suzzy Cruzaley, Tim, Diana and Khloe Mack. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Bill and Monida Gallagher, Tom and Sadie Murphy, and father-in-law Tom Wildes. A memorial service will be held in his honor at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Anaconda on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to the Kirby Gallagher Education Fund at First Montana Bank of Anaconda. Go rest high on that mountain, Brother Billy, your work here is done.

Visitation

DEC 29. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Holy Family Catholic Church 217 W. Pennsylvania Ave.

Service

DEC 29. 10:30 AM

Holy Family Catholic Church 217 W. Pennsylvania Ave.