William (Bill) Dean Wise, age 91, passed away on December 17, 2022, at his home in Helena, Montana, surrounded by his loved ones.
Bill was born August 2, 1931, in Great Falls, Montana to Mabel and Chalmers Wise. In the spring of 1935, the family moved to Helena where Bill started his elementary education at the old Broadwater School. He then finished grade school at Central Elementary. He went to Helena High School (HHS) and graduated in 1949 in the great class of the “49er’s”. While at HHS he was in the Latin Club, the 3-7-77 honor society, and earned a letter by being the manager of the basketball and track teams. He was also a member of the Square Dance Group and performed at several different cities in Montana.
After graduating in 1949, he studied pre-med at Carroll College. He was accepted to St. Louis University Medical School and graduated in 1957.
In 1954, he married the love of his life, Donna Haniuk of Helena. In 1957 they had their first child, Sharon. Over the years they had three more children, Carole, Bill, and Doug.
He completed his year of internship at Providence Hospital in Portland, Oregon and subsequently stayed as a resident in Internal Medicine. His last year there he was named Chief Resident of the Internal Medicine Department.
In 1961, he and his family moved to Helena where he set up a private practice in Internal Medicine. During this time, he obtained a class “C” license in nuclear medicine and helped set up the nuclear medicine department at St. Peter’s Hospital. He also continued his education by taking extra courses in geriatric care in order to better care for his aging patients.
During those years, he was appointed to various hospital committees and filled various chairs of both St. John’s and St. Peter’s Hospital staffs. He was the first MD to be appointed to the Board of Directors at St. Peter’s. For many years, he was also involved with the Lewis & Clark Cancer committee. This group was instrumental in obtaining the first nuclear medicine diagnostic machine.
He worked for years with West Mont Home Health, was on the Board of Directors, and ultimately the Chairman of the Board. After his three-year term he stayed on as the medical representative on the Quality Assurance Review Committee.
In 1985, he left private practice and took a position at the Ft. Harrison Veterans Administration. He stayed for ten years, retiring in 1995. He then spent seven years (part time) reviewing cases with Montana Disability Determination Services.
He joined the US Army Reserve, 396th Station Hospital unit in Helena, and deployed several times to South America. He was also the commander of that unit for three years and retired after 20 years as a full colonel.
During his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, and hiking. He mostly enjoyed these activities with his family. Despite his busy schedule, he always made time to build memories with his children. They went on many two- or three-day hikes and had great fun exploring God’s amazing creation. He also enjoyed woodworking and built his family many heirloom quality pieces of furniture.
The family raised Arabian horses, trained, and showed them for several years. They sold many of the horses as their children grew and left home but kept a couple for trail riding around the Montana City area.
He was active in the St. Cyril and Methodius Church as lector, eucharistic minister, member of the Pastoral Council, and served on the Advisory Board of Good Samaritan.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Charleen Erickson.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Wise (married for 68 years), children Sharon (Robert) Maynard, Carole Wise, Bill Wise, and Doug (Elizabeth) Wise, eleven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
The Wise family wants to give special thanks to everyone who provided help, comfort, and prayers for Bill during his final illness.
The rosary will be prayed at 11:30 a.m. with a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, May 22nd at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 120 W. Riggs Street in East Helena. A reception will follow the Mass in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial with military honors will follow the reception at Resurrection Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Rosary
11:30 a.m.
Monday May 22, 2023
Ss Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday May 22, 2023
Ss Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the Mass
Monday May 22, 2023
Ss Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Reception
Monday May 22, 2023
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Rosary
11:30 a.m.
Monday May 22, 2023
Ss Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday May 22, 2023
Ss Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the Mass
Monday May 22, 2023
Ss Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Reception
Monday May 22, 2023
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
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The Caldwell Family says
Donna and Family, Our sympathies to all of you on your loss. Bill was very special to our family because he hired my sainted Ron at WestMont in 1989. If not for Bill, we wouldn’t be in Helena today. He was such a wise and caring Board president, friend and confidant. I believe Bill and Ron are in Heaven right now enjoying a glass of something tasty and having a good conversation. Peace be with all of you.
David Jordan, M.D. says
Sad to learn that Bill had passed away. He and I shared a weekend call rotation in the early ’80s, along with Dr.s McEvoy, Seliskar, and Alvarez. Later, of course, we worked at the Disability offece together, along with Carole. If my memory serves me (and it sometimes doesn’t!) he was also the Medical Director at the old Helena Nursing Home, and he passed that position on to me when he went out to the VA. We also got to know Donna, via her lovely paintings. Hope she is still going strong! Best wishes to all the family.
Bj Benjamin says
I will pray for the family . He was a great Dr.
wayne kovick says
BOB AND SHARON, I am SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. NOT ONLY WAS HE A GREAT PHYSICIAN HE WAS JUST A GREAT GUY AND HE MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US.
Davy Elliott says
I worked with Bill for several years at the VA. We had numerous talks about backpacking and hiking in Montana. Missed him when I went to Missoula, and he retired. He was not only a fellow employee, but he was also a very good friend. RIP
Mike & Margaret Foster says
Donna my heart breaks for you and I know it has been a long struggle. Bill became our family Dr., when I was in middle school. When I returned home on leave from Vietnam after my 1st tour, of all my family and friends, Bill was the only one who came over to the house and spent the whole evening with me. When I got married, Bill became our family Dr.. Often he would have Margaret and I in his office together giving us advice. Several years later, at a Cursillo retreat, Bill became a spiritual mentor to me. In many ways he was like another father to me, but even considering our age difference Bill was more like a “brother”. I will miss him greatly!