02/07/2021
MEET THE LEGENDS
William J. “Bill” Yaeger
Bill Yaeger was the first person to receive a Society of Montana Broadcast Legends certificate.
Just days before our first Induction Ceremony we received word that Bill was seriously ill and would not be able to attend.
Terry Bass and I visited Bill at the hospital and during that visit we gave him his certificate. We will never forget the big smile and “thumbs up” Bill gave us as we left the room.
Bill passed away a few days later.
William J. (Bill) Yaeger, 72, of Helena, passed away from cancer on Aug. 24, 2010, at St. Peter’s Hospital, in the arms of his loving wife, surrounded by his loving family.
Bill was born in Lewistown on April 10, 1938, to Joseph and Florence Yaeger and reared on the ranch west of there that his grandfather had homesteaded in 1880. He received his elementary education in the one-classroom school at Glengarry and was a graduate of Fergus County High School in Lewistown, where he played center on the football team and was student body president. Following 14 years of part-time instruction, Bill received his BA in history (magna cm laude) from Carroll College in Helena.
On Feb. 24, 1956, Bill married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Donna Birdwell. They were blessed with and very proud of their three children, those who came into their family by marriage and their six wonderful grandchildren. He often said that it was Donna’s support and encouragement, through many moves, that permitted him to accomplish what he had in life. She became a devoted caregiver as Bill battled cancer and diabetes toward the end of his life. They enjoyed doing many things together: daily walks, reading, playing cards and traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad. Earlier this year Bill and Donna celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.
They spent the first seven years of their marriage on the family ranch, during which Bill began what would be a quarter century in broadcasting as an announcer at KXLO in Lewistown. They later became part owners of the station, selling in 1967, to move to Helena where Bill was a newscaster and bureau chief for the Intermountain Network (IMN).
A familiar voice across Montana and the region, he originated three newscasts each day for 26 radio stations. He later was transferred to Salt Lake City where he was in charge of news for the entire 98-station network. Bill covered numerous legislative sessions in both states. In order to get back to Montana, the Yaegers purchased and operated the Frosty Freez drive-in restaurant in Big Timber for two years before returning to IMN in Helena.
In 1986, Bill joined the staff of Gov. Ted Schwinden as senior administrative assistant, and then served as chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Gordon McComber. He then worked in three departments of state government: Military Affairs, Justice and Agriculture before retiring in 1998.
In a parallel career, he joined Lewistown’s Troop L of the Montana Army National Guard in 1956 as a cook and retired 39 years later as a brigadier general and the state’s assistant adjutant general. Bill received a commission as a 2nd lieutenant from the Montana Military Academy at Fort Harrison and held numerous Guard command and staff assignments. He received a number of awards including the Legion of Merit medal.
He completed many Army schools in aviation, armor and public affairs culminating with the U.S. Army War College in 1986. He earned the wings of a master army aviator, logging nearly 4,000 hours in eight different types of Army airplanes and helicopters during a flying career of more than three decades.
Bill was always active in civic and community affairs. He was the founding president of the Montana Military Museum at Fort Harrison. In 1973, he won the Toastmaster’s humorous speech competition for Montana and northern Wyoming. He was the author of “The Hanging of Billy Calder,” the story of the only legal ex*****on in Fergus County and had several magazine articles published. Bill loved the Lord and read the Bible cover to cover each year in a different version. He enjoyed opportunities to preach and teach God’s word.
He learned to play his dad’s button accordion at age 5 and enjoyed playing his piano accordion with his brother, Gary, at programs and dances when they were young and for enjoyment in their later years. Bill especially looked forward to entertaining the residents of the Cooney Convalescent Home each Monday at noon.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by the lifelong love of his life, Donna; their three children (all from Helena), Randy Yaeger and his wife, Donna, Ralph Yaeger and his wife, Anne, and Larayne Yaeger. He is also survived by five grandsons, Joseph and Karl Yaeger, and Henry, Gus and Frank Hoovestal; and one granddaughter, Lily Hoovestal. Other survivors include a brother, Gary (Sharon) Yaeger of Helena; two sisters-in-law, Carol Fraser and Jeanne (Herb) Jones; four brothers-in-law, George (Eva) Birdwell, Gale (Carol) Birdwell, Larry (Wilma) Birdwell and George (Vicki) Birdwell; numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Cremation has taken place. Celebration of life will be held in Helena on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church, 311 Power. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be made to Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital.
The family wishes to express its most sincere appreciation to Dr. Thomas Weiner and the tremendous staff of the St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center. Their fine care enabled Bill to enjoy many happy years after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2002. When it came time for Bill to pass, the nurses and staff of the St. Peter’s Oncology Unit and Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital likewise provided the best of care and incredible kindness. The family is deeply grateful. To send condolences to the family please visit ww.bigskyfunerals.com.
You are welcome to share your memories of Bill with us. We’d love to hear from you.
