William "Bill" Grasser

The beloved patriarch of Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Area near Darby, has passed away.
William A. Grasser, 76, died peacefully at home, July 19th, surrounded by family and friends.
Bill was a devoted community leader, who was passionate in his efforts to develop top-notch, affordable skiing for families. He supported local economic development in Montana, Idaho and Alaska. He was a strong advocate for progressive timber industry practices and alternative energy.
- Bill was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on September 17, 1938 to William and Alice Grasser. He was raised by his step-parents Frank and Gertie Plizka. He graduated from St. Catherine's Catholic High School in Racine, Wisconsin in 1957.
- He worked at IBM, before being drafted into the Army in 1964, where he became a computer specialist at the Oakland Army Terminal. "That was when computers were the size of pianos," said Army Buddy Dave Guelff. "Bill made sure all the wires were hooked up right." After being honorably discharged from the service, Bill came to Montana to visit his buddy, and never left. He worked as a log purchaser at Darby Lumber Company.
- In 1967, he bought Lost Trail Ski Area with partner Chuck Shuland, who later sold his portion to Bill.
In 1968, he married Vera Sehorn. The couple had two children, Judy and Scott. They later divorced, but remained friends.
Bill built the first chairlift at Lost Trail, then added four more lifts, and helped plan and design 50 of the runs, which straddle the Montana-Idaho border. He started ski school for kids on the mountain. Lost Trail would be inundated with kids from Montana and Idaho. Now, many of those kids come back with their children and grandchildren. Bill ran a ski bus for adults, which traveled to ski areas all over the region. He made Lost Trail a fun place to be.
He was an initiator, he made things happen. He had foresight. "If he wasn't thinking about skiing or fishing," said son Scott, "He was probably dreaming about them." Bill helped his best friend, Dick Powers build Whalers' Cove Lodge in Alaska. "He was an extremely intelligent businessman," said Powers. "He was a one-of-a-kind workaholic who believed in helping his community." In the early days, Bill brought scores of Montana friends to Alaska to fish. They helped promote the resort to become one of Alaska's premiere sports fishing lodges. In Alaska, he became a fishing boat captain, taking clients into Chatham Straits to fish for Salmon and Halibut. He helped build a school for native children in Alaska. But he played as hard as he worked. "He wanted people to have a good time," said Bill's daughter Judy. "He wanted skiing to be a part of people's lives, something they could do as a family. He loved a family atmosphere, and to put smiles on people's faces." Scott Grasser remembers his dad's motto, "If you are resting, you are rotting." Scott and Judy now own and manage Lost Trail Powder Mountain. Along with his children, Bill made Lost Trail what it is today. Because of Bill Grasser, Lost Trail is involved in a feasibility study to use dead and dying fuel as an energy source at the ski area. "He was ahead of his time," said Scott's wife Sadie, "He always had new plans. He was always building." Everyone agrees Bill Grasser was a pioneer in everything he did, and he did a lot.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, step-parents and half-brother, Paul.
He is survived by his former wife, Vera; daughter, Judy Grasser and husband Mike Maki; son, Scott Grasser and wife Sadie Grasser; step-grandson, Colton Smith and half-sister, Silvia Nudi.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bill Grasser Memorial at Farmers State Bank. Bill died at his home in the beautiful Sula Basin. From his window you can see the stunning view of Lost Trail Powder Mountain.