- Date Of Birth: December 5, 1919
- Date Of Death: February 10, 2010
- State: Montana
William P. Mufich died suddenly of natural causes on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at his residence in Kalispell, Montana. He was born on December 5, 1919 in Butte, Montana the youngest of four children born to John and Theresa Mufich.
He was a Butte Rat through and through. He worked in the mines with his father and brother during school breaks. An outstanding high school athlete, Bill graduated from Butte High School in 1938. His father and shift bosses always encouraged him to go to college. A member of the 1937 Bulldog championship football team, he went to the University of Montana on a football scholarship. Small but tough, he was a natural for the Grizzly team. During the four years prior to graduation in 1942, the Grizzlies played larger schools such as California, USC, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Texas Tech. Bill loved the game. In later years, he faithfully followed every football season with enthusiasm, often singing the fight song at a homecoming game or in front of the television.
Following his graduation in 1942, Bill joined the U. S. Navy, entered flight training and subsequently, in 1944, was assigned to the USS Intrepid as a Hellcat pilot with fighter squadron, VF-18. He saw action throughout the Pacific in WWII, including Formosa, Luzon and Mindanao. His outfit had a reputation for getting the job done. Bill fought in one of the most significant battles of the Pacific – the Battle of Leyte Gulf. That battle would decide who would have control of the Philippines. His carrier, USS Intrepid, is now a museum in New York City and the contribution of VF-18 is prominently acknowledged.
During his service in combat, Bill downed four enemy aircraft, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses, an Air Medal and a Philippine Liberation Ribbon. It was during his service that he met his much-loved wife, Thelma, of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. She was a WAVE stationed at the Naval Air Station, North Island, in Coronado, California. Following their release from active duty, Bill and Thelma married in Missoula, Montana where Bill attended law school. When he wasn’t studying, he was on the football field as an assistant coach for the Grizzlies. Upon graduation, he left Montana for a short time to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he served the agency in Charlotte, NC and New York City.
In 1949, Bill and Thelma moved to Helena where their daughter, Molly, was born. During their 21 years in Helena, Bill worked as an attorney for state and local government as legislative assistant, assistant city attorney and had his own private practice. He was admitted to practice to the U. S. Supreme Court and to the Supreme Court of Montana. In 1970, he joined the Anaconda Company Legal Department and Bill and Thelma moved to Butte. Upon his retirement from the Anaconda Company, then Arco, Bill practiced law in Butte until his retirement. His wife of 53 years, Thelma, died in 1999.
He was inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. He attained Golden B status as a life member of Butte High School Silver B’s. He was also a long time member of the University of Montana M Club and a lifetime member of the U of M alumni association. Bill was a pilot with the Montana Air National Guard retiring with the rank of Major after having served over 20 years. He was also a member of the Civil Air Patrol in Helena. In Butte he served on the St. James Hospital and Butte Country Club boards.
He enjoyed golf and after retiring from Arco, was able to spend more time on the course with friends. His greatest passion next to family was flying. There was always a sparkle in his eye when he talked about being a pilot.
In 2009, Bill moved to Kalispell to be near his daughter and son-in-law. He spent many happy winters in Florida with family, but his heart was always in Montana. He was a loving and generous man to whom family and friends meant the world. He will be missed.
His wife, parents, brother, John(Agnes) and sisters, Julie Chebul(John) and Ann Sutey (John) preceded Bill in death.
He is survived by his daughter, Molly Hobgood, her husband Bill, and two step-grandchildren, Laura Littlecott (Marc), Jim Hobgood and great grandchildren, Daniel and Margaret Littlecott and numerous nieces and nephews.
A remembrance of life was held in Kalispell at Buffalo Hill Terrace where he met many new good friends. They were extraordinary in their caring and fondness for Bill.
