Bill Mcmanis

Bill Edwin McManis lost his three-and-a-half year battle with cancer on Friday, February 12, 2010, in Bozeman, Montana. He fought valiantly, and his spirit throughout the struggle is an inspiration to all who knew him. As his Oncologist, Dr. Jack Hensold, said, We gave it a good run, Bill. Bill was born May 9, 1935 to Craig and Grace (Judd) McManis in Lebanon, Iowa. Bill grew up in rural Iowa, developing a love for all of Nature and the great outdoors. Although he was an avid bow hunter, Bill's passion from an early age was fishing. He followed that passion from Iowa to Florida, then to Montana. Bill was active in many facets of his favorite sport. He authored a weekly outdoor column for the local newspaper in Ft. Madison, Iowa. In Florida he was a bass fishing guide and a charter member of BASS. In Montana Bill fell in love with the beautiful brook trout and spent as much time as possible fishing the upper Big Hole River and its tributaries. He was a life member of the Big Hole River Foundation. Bill graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Ft. Madison, Iowa in 1954. Bill and his first wife Luanne Jacobsmeier had seven wonderful children. In 1977, Bill married Elouise Smith Daniels and helped raise her four children. Most of Bill's work force life was dedicated to law enforcement. He graduated from the University of Iowa Police Academy and served with the Police Department of Ft. Madison, Iowa. In Florida he was the Director of Safety and Security for a multi-campus hospital in Winter Haven, Florida. He retired from that position, and moved to Bozeman in 1987 where he was with the Bozeman Police Dept Parking Division until his retirement in 1996. Bill was preceded in death by both parents. He is survived by his wife Elouise, his children and their families: Karen (Patrick) Kearney, Kathleen (Nolen) Holzapfel, Kevin (Cheryl) McManis, Kristen (Jean) McManis, Kurt (Jena) McManis, Kathryn (Bruce) Trevarthen, and Kyle (Crea) McManis; and his wife's children and their families: Julie (Joel) Thomas, Karen (Tyler) Hoyt, Alan Daniels, and Matt (David) Daniels. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, his wife's four grandchildren, his two brothers Paul McManis and Robert McManis, as well as a special nephew David (Jennifer) McManis and other nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service for Bill will be held Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at Dahl's Funeral Chapel 300 Highlands BLVD. in Bozeman. If desired, memorials in Bill's name are suggested to the Bozeman Deaconess Cancer Center, c/o Bozeman Deaconess Foundation, 915 Highland Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59715.