Bill J. 'Billy' Gallagher, 75

Bill J. "Billy" Gallagher, 75, of Newport, Wash., passed away in Newport on July 4, 2006.

A graveside inurnment service will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2006, at 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River, Idaho.

Bill was born on May 14, 1931, in Lewistown, Mont., the son of Jack and Beatrice (Phipps) Gallagher.Bill spent most of his childhood in the Lewistown area.

He joined the Air Force in 1947 when he was only 16 years old. He left the Air Force in 1948 after they found out he was only 16. Later in life he worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline working as a construction foreman.

Bill met and married Marilyn Howland while living in Alaska.

In 1995, illness forced his retirement and he moved to Billings, Mont., to be closer to family. He moved to Newport in 2005.

He was a member of the Eagles Lodge in Kenai, Ak , the Elks Lodge in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Local No. 959 of the Alaska Teamsters.

Survivors include his wife Marilyn of Newport; two daughters, Karen (and Karl) Korell of Billings and Cindy Gallagher of Newport; two sons, Jack (and Alta) of Billings and Randy (and Cheri) of Laurel, Mont.; two stepsons, John (and Danette) Howland of Kenai, Alaska, and James Howland of Newport; a sister, Betty Hoshall of Sacramento, Calif.; a brother, Richard Gallagher of Big Bend, Ore.; and 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Kathy and Sally; and a brother Jerry.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice or your local women and children's shelter.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home and Crematory of Newport is in charge of arrangements.