William 'Bill' Eisenlohr, 88

William “Bill” T. Eisenlohr passed away on Sept. 25, 2026, after a life filled with family, adventure, craftsmanship, community, and a love of the outdoors.

Bill was born May 20, 1938, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Jane and O.W. Eisenlohr. He grew up in Rockford, Illinois, with his sister, Linda, and his mother and stepfather, Perry Jackson, Jr. He attended The Gow School in South Wales, New York.

Bill married the love of his life, Mary Lindskold, in 1957 in Rockford. In 1960, they moved to Corona, California, where they began their life together. Bill was active in the Corona Jaycees, serving as president in 1964, and taught horsemanship to the El Cerrito 4-H group. He enjoyed horseback riding and spending time outdoors with his family.

Bill had a lifelong passion for sailing, landsailing, boats, cars, and building things with his hands. For many years, the family spent weekends landsailing at El Mirage Dry Lake, a tradition that continues with his sons, grandsons, and great-grandchildren. 

He later pursued a career in boatbuilding, working for several companies in the Newport Beach area before starting his own business. His final boat builds were Bristol Channel Cutters and Falmouth Cutters, work he greatly enjoyed.

Bill eventually turned his talents to restoring classic automobiles. He restored Model As, hot rods, Thunderbirds, Mercedes-Benz automobiles, and many others. Bill and Mary traveled throughout the West Coast attending classic car shows, where his restorations earned numerous awards, including Best of Show and first-, second-, and third-place awards in his class. He also received two national awards from the Antique Automobile Club of America for his 1955 Thunderbird and 1956 190 SL Mercedes-Benz.

In 1995, Bill and Mary moved to Lakeside,  where Bill quickly became an active and valued member of the community. He was involved with the Lakeside-Somers Chamber of Commerce and helped initiate Winterfest, sled dog races, and old-car nights. He founded the Big Sky Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society and organized antique boat shows in Lakeside. His beloved antique wooden boat, Cinco, was a source of great joy.

Together with Alex Berry, Bill helped establish the Montana Wooden Boat Foundation, giving young people the opportunity to learn the craft of boatbuilding. He served on the Lakeside Water and Sewer District for 17 years and was a member of the first Lakeside Planning Board. He also supported the Westshore Library, helping organize successful fundraising events.

Bill loved fly-fishing and taught his grandchildren to appreciate it. He enjoyed skiing at Blacktail Mountain, where his children and grandchildren also learned to ski. Sailing, boating, and spending time outdoors with his family remained some of his greatest pleasures.

Several years ago, Bill purchased a well-worn 1960 Lido 14 sailboat and lovingly restored it with plans to teach his great-grandchildren how to sail. His final community project was promoting the purchase of a fireboat for the north shore. Another reflection of his lifelong desire to contribute to the community he loved.

Bill lived a remarkable and very full life, always with Mary, his beloved wife and partner of nearly 70 years, by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Linda E. Livingston.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his children, Cyndi Heath of Texas, Scott and his wife, Kim, and John and his wife, Laura, of Lakeside; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lakeside QRU, Blacktail Mountain QRU, or Westshore Library.

A celebration of life open house will be held from 3–5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at the Lakeside Community Hall, 201 Bills Road, Lakeside, MT.