William Frederick Tryan
William Frederick Tryan, (Bill, Billy, Wild Bill), son of Winnifred Krassin and Albert Tryan, was born in the Smoke Creek area south of Flaxville, March 3, 1931. He attended the Smoke Creek School and resided in the same area that he was born, until moving 1 mile north in 1956.
Billy was brother to sisters Marjorie Jarmer, Connie French, MaryLou Goulet, Elaine Tryan, Meredith Jensen and brother Ben Tryan, all deceased; as well as brother, Gary Tryan and Linda Severson, who survive him.
Billy married Mildred Garberg in 1949. They began their family at the original Tryan homestead and in 1956 made the 1 mile move to the final destination after building their home. The farmstead grew with granaries, farm equipment, livestock, milk cows, horses, as well as children. He was very proud as each child was introduced to the world: Cheryl Hatfield (Robert) of Ohio; Sheila Blyth of Billings; Dennis Tryan (Pat) of Huntley; Rick Tryan (Laurie) of Helena; and Sharyn Tryan of Billings.
Along with a family of five children, Dad was blessed with 16 grandchildren , 28 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren and two on the way.
Dad was a very proud father; he loved telling stories of his girls’ pie baking abilities, teaching us all to fish on the Poplar River although he was never successful at teaching us to eat the fish, hunting, farming, roping, traveling to team roping and barrel racing competitions, sporting events, basketball and cheerleading. He was always present and with pride. Dad loved visiting with his grandchildren, teasing them, always showing them that he didn’t have a thumb and watching their expressions while they checked to make sure they had a thumb on each hand. He attended many NFRs in support of his grandsons.
Billy spent his last 25 years enjoying his time while farming and later after retiring at the age of 84 in 2015 with his significant other, Lynn Nordwick¸ who always referred to him as a wonderful man; dad was always impressed that Lynn was a good listener and reminded us of that often. They enjoyed farming together, traveling to California, the Oregon coast, cruising through the Panama Canal, and the Florida Keyes. They also attended many NFRs, wagon trains and Friday evening dinners at the Bum Steer.
To mention a few things about our Dad or “Wild Bill,” he lived life LARGE! Rick started to team rope young and the club started in Scobey. Dennis followed soon after. Dad was there to drive, help with the club, horses and anything needed, and before long he got the itch and was on the horse swinging the rope and soon competing on the Senior level, earning his way to compete in Las Vegas at the Old Timers Rodeo. Sharyn was also involved in the club in Scobey as a barrel racer. There were high school rodeos and other rodeos across the state, and he always had the pickup, camper and trailer ready to go and was a great supporter.
He was active in the 750 Club, the Scobey Roping Club, and took part in the year-long planning of the annual wagon train held in June each year. Dad had his wagon and team, Queenie and Jerry originally, and later a new team, that was never named. He passed his second team on to Dennis when he was no longer using them. Dennis’ granddaughters decided they deserved a name and were given the names of Sonny and Cher. They now reside in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and give winter rides at an Inn and are very happy with their job.
Dad also had the honor of riding in and driving a professional race car, participating in the 1989 Cattle Drive and riding in the movie Far and Away with Tom Cruise. There wasn’t anything that he didn’t try; the top of the ski hill at Red Lodge without any instruction on how to get to the bottom, the same with water skis. One thing about dad, he did not have a slow gear; he lived life fast and furious, and he lived it LARGE. Dad may not have known your name, or remembered your name, but he never met a stranger!
Dad also had relationships with many hired men from Denmark, some have kept in touch by phone over the years; two of these men, in particular, stayed in the area and became part of dad’s extended family: Jens Winge-Peterson and Tim Lundquist, thank you for always being available when he needed you. Special thanks also to grandson by marriage, Travis Dudley, for the many years of helping with the harvest . Travis, some years, was accompanied by chief barn cleaner, daughter Brooke. He also formed a special bond with grandson by marriage, Jason King, during the couple years he lived with his family on the original homestead. Dad thoroughly enjoyed Jason’s visits and the care and friendship that he provided.
We will all remember his loving kindness and the hiss that would come through his teeth with his belly laughs. Dad, Wild Bill, Billy you will never be forgotten!
Dad is survived by many cousins, some who were more like brothers (Micky and Dougie) and sisters (Darlene) to him, nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be June 30th in conjunction with the annual wagon train in Flaxville at 6 p.m.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dad’s grandsons: Nathan Safty, Brent Hatfield, Matt Prindle, Clay Tryan, Travis Tryan, Cameron Blyth, Kane Crook, David Johnson, Brady Tryan, and Chase Tryan .
We would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Langemo Cottage at St. John’s United in Billings for the exceptional care of dad and for all the dances you provided, and cows that you milked for him so he could relax and enjoy his day.
Cards can be sent in his name to 2253 Southridge Drive, Billings, MT 59102. Memorials to the 750 Club or the Northeast Montana Wagon Train.
