Weston Lee MacDonald, 77, of Polson, died Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at his home with his family at his side. Wes was a descendant of pioneers who arrived by train in Superior from Pennsylvania in March 1892. His great-grandmother, Edna Helen Leonard Wilkinson, owned the Hotel Superior, where the first 25 bibles were placed in the rooms by the Gideon Society on November 10, 1908. In 1924, his mother Marie was the first baby in what was then the “new” Superior Hospital and he was the last baby born there, to Woodroe and Marie MacDonald McDaniel, in 1941. He was adopted by his maternal grandparents, W.B. and Alice MacDonald, who preceded him in death.
The family moved to Perma in 1943 and he attended a one room schoolhouse there until they moved to Dixon in the mid-1950’s where he completed his education.
He joined the Montana National Guard, serving on active duty from October 1959 until April 1960.
In August 1963 he married Sandra Marshall in St. Ignatius and they settled in Polson, where he remained the rest of his life.
He began working at Plum Creek in 1960 and left there in 1978 to purchase MacDonald Disposal which he operated until selling the business in 2000. During retirement, he worked driving water tender for three seasons for Leading Edge Aviation.
He was very active in the Polson Volunteer Fire Department, serving for 26 years, 14 years as Assistant Fire Chief. He also served on the Polson Rural Fire Board for twelve years. He was very proud to have been able donate over 100 pints of blood to the American Red Cross.
Leisure time activities included fishing, including several trips to Alaska, trap shooting, restoring antique trunks, twice daily coffee with friends, and in earlier years, stock car racing and drag racing.
Preceding him were his parents Alice and Burns MacDonald, Marie MacDonald Vulles, brothers, Clinton MacDonald and Bob Vulles and nephew Codi Vulles.
Survivors include his wife Sandra, daughter Traci (Darrin) Reid, grandsons Carter and Collin Reid, sisters Hyrel (Bernie, deceased) Walsh, Neva (Doug) Cummings, Lynda Vulles (Rob) Gebhardt, brothers, Mickey Vulles, Larry (Blondy) Vulles, Tim (Debbie) Vulles, sister in law Linda (Daryl) Way and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at The Lake Funeral Home in Polson. Burial will be private at a later date. The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to the Life Savers Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 643, Polson, MT 59860.
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