Wilfred J. Sauby, 72, of Libby

Wilfred J. Sauby, (Kemo) (Willy), 72, died on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at his home in Libby.

 Willy or Kemo (as he preferred to be called) spent the last 12 years of his life in Libby. He lived most of his life in the oilfield/farmland near Shelby. He was a man of many talents and delighted and amused his family and friends with his “inventions.” Most were helpful and practical, some were jokes but all were made with affection for the recipient.

He made more than 100 birdhouse Christmas tree ornaments for Libby First National Bank.

He was born Aug. 12, 1940, in Shelby to Warren Sauby and Delores (Thennis) Sauby. He was the second of five children. 

Willy spent most of his years on or near the homestead 21 miles north of Shelby. He attended elementary school in Shelby and graduated from Oilmont High School in 1959. From 1973 to 2000, he resided in his home in Four Corners.

In 1960, he and his brother, Jim, joined the Air National Guard on the base in Great Falls and took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. 

As a “jack of all trades” he worked at various jobs. He worked at Anaconda Copper Smelter (Great Falls) for a number of years, was an oil-well pumper on leases in the Kevin-Sunburst oilfields, a machinist/lathe operator and laborer for Commanche Drilling, Co. (Oilmont). In addition to pumping leases, he ran his own tire business (Sauby Tire) and was the local “go-to” guy. 

He was also a collector of John Deere memorabilia. He and his brother, Jim, made a business of collecting and selling antique John Deere tractors and parts.

Kemo enjoyed golfing (even while battling cancer). He was vice president of Kootenai RC Flyers and enjoyed building radio-controlled airplanes and flying them, bowling, camping, fishing, water-skiing, the classic car club, as well as serving as a member of the Toole County Search & Rescue.

He volunteered for the Kootenai Kiwanis Club and enjoyed helping his neighbors, and especially spending time with his large family. He helped his mother re-upholster couches, chairs and recliners. He has sewn curtains and repaired clothing. There were not many things that he couldn’t repair. He enjoyed visiting with his friends, gardening with wife, Kathy, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Sauby Habeck;  daughters Jody ( Jason) Corthell and Annette Sauby; son, Steve (Jennifer) Sauby; sisters, Anita Tomayer, Joanne (Mike) Stetzel and Lucille (Harry) Knaup; brother, Jim (Barbara) Sauby; grandchildren Jeanette, Wil, Victoria, Melanie, Robby, Kyle and Alex. Also surviving are  numerous nieces and nephews. He was a father figure to many, including nephew Charles (Chuck) Sauby and his daughter Stormy (Khris) Gentry, whom Kemo and Kathy raised for a period of time.

He was preceded in death by sons, Wesley Warren and Casey Adam; his father, Warren, and mother, Delores; nephew Chuck Sauby; and his first wife, Judy Osterhout.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Home Options Hospice of Libby or to St, John’s Lutheran Hospital in  Libby.

A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at Libby Assembly of God Church, 105 Collins Avenue with a luncheon to follow.  

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory in Libby. 

For those not able to travel, there will be a service in the Shelby area in 2013.