Jon Skaar Williamson

Jon Skaar Williamson passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana of natural causes. Jon was 72 years old. Jon Williamson was born on November 17, 1950, in Bozeman, Montana to Shirley and Florence Williamson. Jon grew up in a log house in Bridger Canyon with his two older brothers, Mike and Paul. In high school, Jon was a standout athlete, setting school records at Bozeman High School in Track and Field. Later, Jon was recruited by several university ski teams and competed in the Nordic Combined and in Track and Field at the University of Montana. In the fall of 1970, while home in Bozeman for the weekend, Jon attended a party where he met a beautiful woman, Linda Young. Jon was smitten and the next semester he transferred to Montana State University (MSU) to be closer to Linda. While at MSU, Jon continued his athletic career, again setting more school Track and Field records. Jon married the love of his life, Linda, on July 22, 1972. This was the start of a remarkable 51-year marriage forged in love, faith, friendship, and partnership. Together, Jon and Linda had four beautiful children: Maria, Mike, Kevin, and Jeff. Jon loved his family deeply. Jon cheered his children on at every sports event, performance, and ceremony. He freely offered faith, wisdom, and unconditional love to his children throughout their childhood and into adulthood, which they relied on as they made lives and families of their own. In 1985, Jon and his family were in a tragic car crash, which left him paralyzed. Despite his disability, Jon lived a full life never letting his disability dictate his life. Jon emanated gratitude and humility which was admired and loved by all who knew him. He was an exceptional listener with an ability to converse and connect with everyone he met. Jon was a man of great faith; he was a leader at Gold Hill Lutheran Church and an involved member of Stephen Ministry for decades. After his retirement from Talon Energy in 2015, Jon volunteered as a tutor at an elementary school. The teachers assigned him their most challenging students because they knew his steady patience and attention could get through to them. But Jon was not always calm and steady. The lucky few got to witness Jon’s temper when his beloved MSU Bobcats were not playing well or when the refs made a poor call. Watching the Brawl of the Wild with Jon was especially fiery. Jon was never one to gloat after a win. In the good years, after the Cats would come out victorious, Jon would quietly celebrate the win by enjoying a bowl of chili with his family—hardly a celebratory whoop or holler to be heard. Throughout his life, Jon was always up for an adventure. There are countless stories of getting Jon to a gathering with friends and family in the most precarious way. After the accident, Jon continued to ski and took on the challenge of learning a sit-ski head on (sometimes literally) with Eagle Mount and his sons Mike and Jeff at Bridger Bowl. Jon also continued to fish on Canyon Ferry Lake with his father-in-law, children, and grandchildren. One of Jon’s last adventures was last summer when the family nearly capsized a pontoon boat on Hauser Lake while celebrating Jon and Linda’s 50th wedding anniversary. After the car accident in 1985, Jon and Linda were told that he may not make it to age 60. Jon and Linda were determined that that would not be their fate. Jon lived 38 vibrant years with his disability. Those years would not have been possible without the exceptional care he received by his personal healthcare aides. The Williamson Family is forever grateful for the care and friendship provided by Bonnie Bugni, Raquel Correa-Greer, Tiffany McGraw, Megan Savage, Nachole Sestrich, Lettie Smith, Marcia Vollien, Randy Walund, and many, many others. Jon is preceded in death by his father Shirley, mother Florence, and son Kevin. Jon is survived by his wife of 51 years Linda; daughter Maria Biastoch (Kevin), and sons Mike (Laura) and Jeff Williamson; grandchildren Ben (Meaghanne Hendrickson) and Abby Biastoch, and Elin Williamson; brothers Mike (Judy) and Paul (Jennifer) Williamson. A service for Jon will be held at Gold Hill Lutheran Church (934 Placer St, Butte, Montana) on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 11:00 am. The family will hold a private burial at Mountain View Cemetery in spring 2024 where Jon will be laid to rest with his son, Kevin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either Gold Hill Lutheran Church or to an organization of the donor’s choice in Jon’s memory.

Tributes

Jon Skaar Williamson

November 17, 1950 - October 25, 2023