William Richard Bosworth

On June 7, 2024, Bill climbed into his Kenworth and drove his way to heaven, leaving behind his pain on his journey home.

Bill was born June 4, 1936, in Prescott, Arizona, to WIlliam and Madonna (Campbell) Bosworth. Raised in Goodyears Bar, California, he attended school in Downieville. He went on to earn his AA degree from Sierra College where he played football and served as the Student Body Vice-President.

Pure happiness for Bill was always found behind the wheel of any vehicle. He drove school bus for Placer High, logging truck for Cal-Ida (Simplot) before buying his own Kenworth. He logged on his own and then hauled gravel out of the Reno/Tahoe/Truckee area for the next 12 years mostly for Sha-Neva Inc. Wintertime was spent hauling sand for the State and plowing snow on Highway 267 from Truckee to Kings Beach. It was dubbed by the boss as “Bill’s Hill”.

Moving to Montana in 1980, he built his log home with wife Sonja and enjoyed the Montana Outdoors. Many excursions into the Selway Wilderness via horseback with Ivan and Delores Davis along with morning coffees was how he spent his days. It was around this coffee table where Bill was influenced to become Friends of Bill W and his supporting groups. Bill and Sonja embraced that lifestyle and garnered many lifelong friends. Soon Bill returned to the road, driving log truck for Jim Blue Trucking and finishing his career with Donaldson Brothers. During his driving years he taught many people (men and women) his craft and love of the road.

His last years were spent with his wife Joyce traveling and enjoying their later years. Many road trips on grand adventures were taken among the Montana countryside. Their favorite big adventures were to Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington DC. Joyce and Bill visited three Trump Rallies and left with autographed hats, feeling very patriotic.

Among Bill’s passions were the 49ers, Lady Griz Basketball, Muhammad Ali (the greatest of all time!) and any of his grandchildren's sports. He loved Disneyland, Hawaii, and the open road. Mining history and a collection of artifacts were scattered throughout his vast gardens at his home.

Bill is survived by his wife Joyce Bosworth, Stevensville, MT; Bill’s daughters Barbara (Dave) Mackenstadt, Colfax, CA; Cheryl (Phil) Whitney, Hamilton, MT; their mother Sonja Bosworth, Hamilton, MT; his four grandchildren Adrien (Levi) Brown, Stephanie (Ian) Whitney, Erik (Bre) Mackenstadt, and Philip Whitney and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.; Joyce’s children Joe (Joy) Clark; Roseburg, OR; Cheryl Clark and Caroline Smith, both of Hamilton, MT; sister-in-laws Margaret Wigaard, Carol Van Etten, Beverly Reich and his beloved cat Chloe.

A memorial service will be on Friday, June 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton with a reception following in the funeral home’s community room.

In memory of Bill, his daughters ask you to give the trucker's fist pump to blow their horn the next time you pass a trucker. Bill would have gladly obliged. 10-10 signed the Overload