William Tronson

William Edward Tronson, 93, of Medicine Lake died Oct. 16, 2024.

He was born June 14, 1931, to Melvin and Lula Tronson at their farm west of Medicine Lake. He moved with his family in 1936 to the farm east of Medicine Lake, where he grew up, attending school and working on the farm. As a boy, he spent many weekends with his grandfather, Edward Spencer, at his farm six miles to the northeast.

He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army from November 1951 to November 1954. He attended basic training at Fort Ord, Calif., and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. He served in the Korean War with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. After the Korean War, he was stationed in Japan with the 187 RCT, Sergeant and Qualified Jump Master.

Returning home in 1954, he began raising cattle along with custom grain harvesting. His cattle were well cared for and handled gently. His grain harvest run each year began in Texas, working his way north through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana and into Canada. He acquired lasting friendships on his harvest run over the 34 years. He was a fair man, respectful of others.

He enjoyed driving around northeast Montana and northwest North Dakota looking at machinery, buying hay, checking pastures and stopping for coffee.

His quiet nature followed him into his retirement years where he enjoyed reading history and stories of early time settlers. He always kept an eye on the weather station.

He is survived by sisters, Mae Reynolds of Billings and Betty Hendrickson of Medicine Lake.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Wallander; and brothers, Donald and Melvin Tronson Jr.

A funeral service was held Oct. 22, at the Fulkerson Funeral Home Chapel in Plentywood. Interment in Medicine Lake Cemetery followed the service.