Wilma Lucille Mckinney

Wilma McKinney, 91, of Hamilton, MT passed away Tuesday February 3, 2009 in Spokane Washington. She was born January 29, 1918 in her family's home in the Big Hole Valley near Jackson in Beaverhead County Montana to William and Mary Christensen. A few short years after Wilma graduated from Missoula County High School she married her childhood sweetheart "Bud" McKinney - they were married on October 7, 1939 in Hamilton. Wilma was the oldest of three siblings: sisters Helen and Lila. All three Bitterroot gals.
Wilma and Bud were true "Bitterrooters". They ranched, logged, and in later years owned and operated "McKinney's Mobile Village" until they retired in the late 1970's in the home they built on Hamilton's west side. In their retirement years you could usually find them fishing together, or visiting or entertaining family which included the families of their oldest child - daughter Sharon (DeWitt), son Gary, and youngest - son Don.
The family suggests memorials to the Hospice of Spokane or similar local organization.
Surviving Wilma are her sister Helen, daughter Sharon, daughter in-law Jan, son and daughter-in law Don and Susan, grandchildren Ron, Debbie, Sandy, Michael, Jary, Navea, Evan, and Ryan - 21 great grandchildren and two-great grandchildren with a few more "buns in the oven".
Wilma just enjoyed her 91st birthday with many of her family at her side this past weekend. Though ill and unable to move under her own power - that didn't stop the McKinney family from celebrating the occasion. Wilma's bed wouldn't fit through the doorway to her room at Moran Vista, so her bed was disassembled and she was carried on her mattress to the activity room where she enjoyed some birthday cake and her last request: a beer that she said tasted "so good". By God's rich grace Wilma passed away peacefully in her sleep just a few short days later.
Wilma was loved by all that knew her.