William Jess "Fingers" Fulton Jr.

On February 25, 2025, William Jess Fulton Jr., better known as Bill or “Fingers” passed away in Missoula, MT. Bill was born to William John Fulton Sr. and Margaret Anderson in Minneapolis, MN, on June 6, 1954. His greatest joy growing up in Bemidji, MN, was terrorizing his sisters Betty, the twins Jean and Joan, and Bea with the help of his brother Rick. He was known to continue that terror into their older years by putting fake snakes in their Christmas presents or giving them “snake bites” on their arms. Bill started his love for walleye and pike fishing at the young age of 5, while fishing with his mom on Grace Lake and Lake Plantagenet. In high school, Bill was part of the wrestling team and catcher for the baseball team. He graduated from Bemidji High School in 1972. After high school, he attended St Cloud Technical College and received his certification in drafting. In the summer of 1971, he started dating the love of his life, Patty Dow. He eventually asked her to marry him at the carnival after the 4th of July. They were married on August 9, 1975. This year would have been their 50th wedding anniversary. In 1975 they moved to Butte, MT where Bill began working for UBC as an Assistant Manager in Training. After about 2 years at UBC, he started his career as an union carpenter first with Keltz Construction, then on to Paffhausen Construction, Markovich Construction, Tallon Construction and retired with Sullway Construction at the age of 55. Bill was a very talented carpenter who loved doing finish work and building furniture. So much of his work can be seen throughout Butte in the homes he built or remodeled to the many businesses he worked on. After he retired, he started on his lifelong dream of becoming a fish taxidermist. He completed a taxidermy course in Helena where he won several ribbons for his fish. Just like with his carpentry, Bill’s talent extended into taxidermy. So, he started his own business, Finger’s Fish Taxidermy. Bill shared his love for fishing and hunting with his three children Mindy, Nick and CJ. He took them fishing every summer on Canyon Ferry Lake or Holter Lake. The boys were able to take several trips with him to Wheeler River Lodge in Saskatchewan to fish for Northern pike. He could share so many stories of the hunting trips with them to the Ruby and Freeze Out. He was proud beyond measure watching them grow and start their own families and careers. When all his grandchildren came into his life, he enjoyed traveling to watch them play football, baseball, softball, volleyball, hockey, or dance. Bill will be dearly missed by his family and so many friends who became family. He is proceeded in death by his parents Bill and Peg, his brother Rick, his father and mother in-law Larry and Pat Dow, brother in-laws Larry Novotney, Gary Weyer, and David Dow, and sister in-laws Mary Novotney and Ann Bradely. Bill is survived by his wife Patty, daughter and son in-law Mindy and Mike Carden; son and daughter in-law Nick and Kim Fulton; son and daughter in-law CJ and Cyndra Fulton; grandchildren Logan and Lilly Carden, Paige and Noelle Fulton, Tucker (Sadie), Chase, and Carter Fulton; sisters Betty Novotney, Jeany Weyer, and Bea Stough; sister and brother in-law Joan and Robert Engle; sister in-law Peg Dow; brother in-laws Larry (Sue) Dow, Dan (Cindy) Dow, and Bob (Mary) Dow; sister-in-law, Patti Fulton, numerous nieces and a nephews; as well as so many friends who are like family. Please come celebrate Bill’s life with his family at the Butte Depot on March 3, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Tributes

William Jess "Fingers" Fulton Jr.

June 6, 1954 - February 25, 2025