William Charles McKinley, 81, of Missoula, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2014, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. He was born Nov. 14, 1932, in Poplar to Ethel and Cecil McKinley.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jim; granddaughter, Paris McKinley; sisters, Zola LaGourge, Bonnie Watson and Dorothy Swails; and his brothers, Raymond and Robert.

Bill was most recently from Missoula, but was also a longtime Bitterroot and Flathead resident.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Thelma; children, Jody McKinley and Pat Heidemann of Missoula, Tami Larson and Dave of Bend, Ore., Vicki Ayala and Willie of Missoula; sister, Marlene Thompson, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Rory McKinley and Jamie of Peoria, Ariz., Ryah McKinley of Yakima, Wash., Mystel Creighton and Daniel of Kalispell, Chaille Hooley and Kevin of Columbia Falls, Callan McKinley of Tulsa, Cheyloe Forbes of Kalispell, Will Ayala of Spokane, Jesse Ayala and Jenneca Barber of Missoula, David Larson of Bend and Nathan Larson of Bend; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Faith, Sydni and Blake McKinley of Peoria, Sawyer and Hunter Creighton of Kalispell, and Kynlie Hooley of Columbia Falls; numerous nieces and nephews; and numerous friends and extended family members.

Bill worked on the Hungry Horse Dam and helped construct the aluminum plant in the Flathead Valley. He then worked in the logging industry for several years. Bill went into retirement and partnered up with his Kubota tractor. He did lots of custom jobs over the years with his tractor. He was known by family and friends as "Tractor Man." 

Bill always had a passion for the great outdoors of Montana. He loved to hunt, fish, camp, drive, huckleberry pick, horseback ride and spend time with others telling stories. 

“Friends and family will continue to be accompanied by Bill when they set out on their outdoor adventures.”

Bill's memorial service will be announced at a later date in September.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.