William August Douglas

William  “Bill” August Douglas, 72, died Dec. 1, 2009.

Born on May 9, 1937 in Wabasha, Minn., he grew up in Kalispell and Missoula. 

His father, Archie R. Douglas, was the site boss for the Williams and Douglas Construction Co. that built a section of the Going-To-The-Sun Road.

After graduating from Missoula County High School in 1955, Mr. Douglas went on to study engineering for two years at Montana State College (now Montana State University) in Bozeman. He then transferred to Montana State University (now the University of Montana) in Missoula to complete his undergraduate degree in business administration and attend law school.

Upon graduating from law school in 1963, he worked as a contract administrator in the Minuteman missile program for Boeing Co. in Minot, N.D., and was later appointed as counsel for the Montana State Board of Equalization in Helena. 

In 1967 he moved to Libby to become the Lincoln County attorney. He served in that capacity for 20 years before going into private practice full-time.

His greatest passion in life was the law. The battles he enjoyed best, especially in recent years, were the ones taking on corporate interests on behalf of working people in his beloved community. He was proud of the fact that he tried a case in federal court on his 70th birthday. Despite his health challenges, he attended the Montana Trial Lawyers Convention in Big Sky last August. A lifelong learner, he reported that the speakers were excellent.

In addition to practicing law, he enjoyed fishing in Alaska, taking his boat out on Lake Koocanusa, traveling everywhere from New York City to the Panama Canal, studying World War II history, attending Grizzly football games, eating breakfast out on Saturday mornings with his buddies, and spending time with Boomer, his big black labrador. He loved his life in Libby and would not have traded his “little rustic cabin in the woods” with its view of the Cabinet Mountains for anyplace in the world.

His family will miss his wit, humor, intelligence, class and unfailingly generous heart.

He is survived by three children, Stephen William Douglas (Kathy Douglas) of Vancouver, Wash., Dawn Joy Douglas-Gienger (Kevin Gienger) of Salem, Ore., and William Robert Douglas of Hillsboro, Ore.; four grandchildren, Danyelle and Isabella Douglas, and Austin and Tyler Gienger; a sister, Mary Lou Kuijper (Leon Kuijper) of Kirkland, Wash.; many nieces and nephews; and devoted friends and colleagues.

Services celebrating his life will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Libby on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 with Rosary at 7 p.m. at Schnackenberg and Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Memorials may be given to Libby Home Health and Hospice.