Arden Will
Arden Ray Will, 72, died Oct. 2, 2021, at the Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings.
He was born Oct. 5, 1948, to William and Amelia (Koth) Will in Wolf Point, the youngest of 11 children and the only one born in Montana and at a hospital. He attended schools in Richey, Outlook and Wolf Point, graduating in 1966. His father managed grain elevators and Arden worked for area farmers.
Denver Bronco Orange became the color of choice when heading to the city and working for the Denver Post as a copy boy (1967-1968) and getting tickets for the Bronco games. Eventually, in the ‘60s, his draft number was nearing the top, thus he opted to enlist in the Navy as a non-swimmer prairie boy. The Navy trained him as a radiology X-ray technician and he served 1969-1975. Four of these years at US Roosevelt Roads Hospital as a corpsman in Puerto Rico.
While waiting for an X-ray job opening after he returned home, he worked as a night janitor in 1975 at the school where he met his future wife, Carla Coffey Will, a teacher there. One May evening, a local band and dancing had him tapping her on the shoulder saying 'Do you want to dance with a bum?' And so began their life's journey.
An X-ray tech position was offered at Indian Health Services' Hospital in Crow Agency. Off he went, starting on the first day of Crow Fair in August 1975. He retired in 2005.
His bachelor days ended July 3, 1976, with his marriage to Carla Coffey in Wolf Point. Together, they resided in IHS housing for six years where priceless friendships were formed and they eagerly awaited eldest son, Jess Elliot Will, who was born in 1978. In July 1982, they found a perfect forever home in Hardin. In 1988, second son, Alex Jordan Will, was born. His boys were treated to the world of sports since he was an avid fan of the LA Dodgers and Denver Broncos. Vacations to these venues were a rite of passage.
Through the years, he planted and supplied the family through the large gardens, bagging wild game with his buddies for the freezer, tackling home repairs and loving the challenge of the rolling orbs of bowling lanes and golf courses. Swimming continued to allude him.
He is survived by his wife, Carla; sons, Jess Elliot Will of Grand Forks, N.D., and Alex Jordan Will of Helena; one granddaughter; brother, Harold Will of Great Falls; and sisters, Eloris “Laura” Johnston of Circle and Dyann Mc-Crory of Plentywood.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Victor, David, Earl and Harley; and sisters, Lavina Mitzel, Lucille Mc-Daniel and Leona Westman.
His wish was to be cremated and placed in the Veterans Cemetery in Laurel, which will be honored privately. A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, at the Elks Lodge at 934 Lewis Ave. in Billings.
