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Clement William (Bill) Bourdon
“Whistling Elk”
Clement William (Bill) Bourdon, 74, of Pablo, MT. passed into the
loving arms of his beloved wife Mary Ann on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008 at
his home in Pablo.
Bill was born on December 20, 1933 in St. Ignatius, MT. to Columbus
F. Bourdon, Sr. & Ursula (Vinson) Bourdon. Bill attended the
Ursaline School in St. Ignatius, MT.
 He
joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War, achieving the
rank of Sergeant. After his honorable military discharge he returned
to the Mission Valley. Bill married the love of his life Mary Ann
Ford Altman in 1967. He welcomed her and raised her seven children
as his own. In addition, Bill and Mary Ann brought two loving sons,
Willie and Art, into this world.
Bill worked various jobs to support his large family. He always made
sure to keep everyone in his family fed. Bill worked at Indian
Health Service, Dupuis Lumber, Pack River Sawmill and eventually
went to work at Salish Kootenai College. Bill worked at SKC as the
Maintenance Supervisor for over 30 years.
Bill was an avid hunter and shared his game with many in the
community. Fall was his favorite time of the year and when his neck
would swell, it was time to go hunting and camp in Valley Creek. He
loved to watch his kids and grandchildren play sports and attended
their games. He was a loyal New York Yankees fan and also supported
the Lady Griz. Bill was a member of the Confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribes and a member of the Tribal Veterans Honor Guard.
Bill was proud of his Baptist faith and his sobriety. He was a man
of prayer for his loved ones and humanity. He was a founding member
of the Pablo Baptist Church when it began in 1991. In fact, the
church began in Bill and Mary Ann’s home in Pablo. The library in
the church is named after his wife Mary Ann Bourdon. As an active
part of his faith, Bill would travel with Pastor Kenny to other
reservations to help with the other churches.
“Uncle Bill” loved and was loved by many. He was always there to
provide love and support for each of those lives he touched dearly.
One couldn’t help but return the friendship and affection he gave.
The college community respected and admired him and is deeply
affected by the passing of this great man.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Ann, his parents,
four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his nine children,
Willie (Lorraine) Bourdon of Ronan and Art (Staci) Bourdon of Pablo;
also by Ken (Debbi) Altman of St. Regis, MT; Steve (Gail) Altman of
Polson; Becky Altman of Mullan, Idaho; Janet ( Don) Munn of Polson;
Diane (Cecil) Mattingly of Fremont, Utah; Bruce Altman of Pablo, MT;
Alex (Cindy) Altman of Finley Point; 19 grandchildren and one great
grandchild.
Visitation will be held on Wed., Jan. 23rd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
Thursday, Jan. 24th from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Grogan Funeral Home
in Polson. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, Jan. 25th at
1:00 p.m. at the Joe McDonald Health and Athletic Center on the SKC
Campus, with Pastor Kenny Prewett officiating. Interment with
military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson. A
reception will follow graveside services at the Pablo Baptist
Church. 3rd Ave and 6th Street.
Memorials may be made to the Pablo Baptist Church, PO Box 68, Pablo,
MT 59855
Condolences may also be made to the family at
www.groganfuneralhome.com.
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