Billy Markham Paul, 90, of Great Falls, passed away December 31, 2015 at a local care facility.  A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 in the Rose Room Chapel of Croxford Funeral Home with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery with full military honors. 

Born March 13, 1925 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Catherine Garde and Harold Paul, Billy grew up in Power, MT, graduating from Power High School in 1943, with an early diploma. He joined the U.S. Navy that same year, at the tender age of 17.   He served during World War II on the USS Cowell and the USS Charrette as a Fireman.   After the war, he went to Chicago to go to Electrician’s School.   He went to work for Great Northern Railroad for 42 years.  He married Joanna E. Porch in Great Falls, MT in 1949, and they were blessed with 8 children.

Billy loved fishing and gardening, and was a prolific reader.  He was a real project man; always building something.  He was a pilot, and often flew his Cessna for enjoyment.  He was “our Irishman” who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone.

Billy is survived by his loving wife, Joanna; daughter, Sue; sons, Scott, Todd, Robert, Jeffrey, Chris, Mark; 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Those who have preceded him in death include his parents, Harold and Catherine Paul; son, Timothy; brother, Jonesy Paul; sisters, Bebe Arp and Rheta Phillips.

 Service Information