Stanford Lawrence Welbourn

Stanford Lawrence Welbourn, 92, of Hamilton passed away Sunday, March 26, 2017 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula surrounded by his family.  He was born January 27, 1925 in Los Angeles, CA and raised in Van Nuys, CA.  Stan graduated from Van Nuys High School as did his wife, children, son-in-law and grandsons.

Stan served in the United States Navy as a Pharmacist’s Mate 2nd Class during WWII and was attached to the Marine landings of Saipan and Tinnian.  Both he and his father, who was the commanding officer of a gunshot ward in Guam, who happened to be stationed at the same naval hospital. 

Upon returning from WWII in 1946, Stan graduated from the University of Southern California and married his wife, Betty Lou Daily, in 1947 and they have been married for 70 years. 

He worked 30 years as a Chemistry and Physics high school and junior college teacher.  Stan also farmed for many years in Central Valley California before retiring to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana 25 years ago. 

Stan was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge.  He enjoyed bird hunting and fishing, and especially loved sharing these adventures with his family.

Stan was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Leland Stanford Welbourn and his mother, Mary Marjorie (Jackson) Welbourn.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty, of Hamilton; brother, David Leland Welbourn of Sherman Oaks, CA; son, Gary Leland Welbourn of Vancouver, WA; daughter, Patricia and Robert Ochoa of Van Nuys, CA; and 2 grandsons, Jake Ochoa and Kyle (Amy) Ochoa.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Daly-Leach Chapel with Pastor Dudley Rose officiating.  Graveside services with Military Honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.  There will be a reception following the committal services in the Daly-Leach Chapel Community Room.  Pallbearers will be Gary Welbourn, Robert Ochoa, Jake Ochoa, Kyle Ochoa, Matt Welling and David Dennis. 

The family suggests that memorial be made in Stan’s name to the charity of the donor’s choice.