R.W. Tooke

Robert William Tooke, 87, passed away on Friday, October 29, 2004 at the Dahl Memorial Nursing Home in Ekalaka. He was born on October 20, 1917 the son of Earl and Bessie (Basford) Tooke at Redfield, SD. He moved to Ekalaka on November 15, 1917. Bill attended the Schofield School and Ekalaka Elementary. He attended Carter Co. High School for two years, and then two years at Custer High in Miles City where he graduated in 1935. Bill joined the CCC in 1935 at Ashland, MT and was sent to Sidney and later onto Glacier Park. He was discharged in 1936. Bill returned to the home ranch on Beaver Flat for several years and then went to work for Bismarck Construction in North Dakota. He was inducted into the service on November 6, 1941, at Missoula, MT and immediately joined the Army Air Corps, and graduated from Aircraft Mechanics School at Keesler Field, Mississippi. After graduation he was sent to Walller Field, Trinidad, British West Indies, where he served for eighteen months. During this time he met his future wife, Pauline Wolf, of Akron, Ohio. They where united in marriage on July 19, 1944 in San Antonio, TX. Bill was honorable discharged in December of 1945 at Portland, OR. Bill and his family settled in Ekalaka where he owned and operated a sawmill for about ten years. Bill later started into the earth moving and road construction business which he operated for over twenty five years. He was often known for his one liners and quick whit and would greet you with a big smile and a slap on the back. Bill would help anybody in need and volunteered many hours to help the city or county with his equipment. Bill was a lifetime member of the VFW, Ekalaka Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Masonic Lodge #120, Scottish Rite Masons, Al Bedoo Shrine Club of Billings, Sorrell Horse Patrol of Ekalaka and the Congregational Church. Survivors include, a daughter Virginia ?Ginny? Olsen, Sidney, MT; two grandchildren, Melanie Olsen, Sidney, MT and William ?Bill? Nutter, Seattle, WA; two sister-in-laws, Margaret ?Mag? Tooke and Thelma Tooke both of Ekalaka; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Pauline; five brothers, Frank, Faye, Feeke, Dick and Granville ?Red? Tooke.


Burial Date: November 2, 2004
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Funeral Service: Tuesday, Carter County High School Gymnasium