Ilah Davis

Ilah M. Davis, 86, a longtime Troy resident, died Wednesday, April 20, 2005, at the Libby Care Center.

Ilah and her husband Bruce Davis first came to Troy in 1936 and after living in the Flathead Valley for a few years, returned in 1942, making it their home ever since.

Bruce Davis died in 1997.

Ilah was born on Oct. 9, 1918, at Malta, to Tony and Mary Doyle.

She lived with her family near Stryker and later moved with them to Wallace, Idaho.

She married Bruce Davis on June 18, 1935.

They lived at Evergreen while Bruce served in the armed forces during World War II.

They returned to Troy and since 1950 have lived in the Bull Lake area. Ilah worked as a cook at Swansons Mountain View Lodge for many years.

A person of many interests, Ilah was a rock collector, photographer and bird watcher. She enjoyed doing embroidery, gardening, growing strawberries and picking huckleberries.

Survivors include her sons, Don Davis and Ken Davis of Troy and Tom Davis, Eagle, Idaho, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Ilah was preceded in death by son Martin Davis and granddaughter Chantel Davis.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Milnor Lake Cemetery under the direction of Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.

Mason Williams

Mason Williams, 93, died on Monday, April 18, 2005, at his home in Libby.

He was born on Jan. 27, 1911 at Evanston, Ill., to Nathan and Elizabeth Cook Williams.

Mason grew up in Illinois.

During the 1930's he worked as a purser for Trans Atlantic Liners and had opportunity to travel to Europe.

Before the start of World War II, Mason tried his hand at ranching in Wyoming.

He served with a guard attachment in the U.S. Navy during World War II, spending most of the time in the Pacific.

After his honorable discharge, Mason worked as a firearms consultant and author in the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., area.

He wrote numerous books and articles for gun magazines and consulted for the New York Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In 1971 Mason moved to Libby where he continued his work as author and consultant, working with the local sheriff's department as well as the Montana Highway Patrol.

He was an excellent pistol shot well into his eighties.

Survivors include son Jeff Williams and his wife Karen, Libby; daughters Sheila Williams, Stanfordville N.Y., and Heather Williams, New Bern, N.C.; daughter-in-law Star Williams, Libby, three grandchildren, Andrew Star, Virginia Beach, Va., and Lance and Sara Williams, Libby, and five great-grandchildren

Private family services are being conducted with local arrangements by the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.