Willard "WIlly" Casteel

Willard Casteel, who answered to Willy or Will depending on who was calling out to him, was born in Kalispell, Montana on August 22, 1941 to Junius (Tex) and Dorothy (Busch) Casteel. On Monday, December 7, 2020 he was taken from us far too soon.  We will plan a celebration to include military honors and a get together to have a “Bud for Will” later on when people feel comfortable with travel and group gatherings. 

Willard grew up in several Montana cities and graduated from Great Falls High School.  After graduation, he joined the Army and went to basic training at Fort Ord, California and served his tour at Fort Lewis, WA.  He received his Honorable Discharge from the Army and soon after joined the Army National Guard and spent six years being a weekend warrior traveling to Missoula for drill.  His honorable separation from the Guard came in January of 1970 as an E-6 Staff Sergeant.

During his guard years he met and married Cheryl Heminger from Whitefish in 1965.  He new father-in-law, Lester Heminger was a fellow guardsman and a mechanic at Malmstrom AFB.  Lester and Jean were friends of his parents, Tex & Dorothy from the Kalispell area.  In 1965, Will and Cheryl were blessed with a son, Allen, and in 1967 they were blessed a second time with a daughter, Lauren.

Building on his experience as a mechanic in the Army, he spent most of his working life as a heavy equipment and auto mechanic at various businesses in Great Falls.

In August 1985 Cheryl passed away and by then their children were off to see the world with lives and families of their own.  1986 brought a new lady into his life.  Will met Gwen Boothe and they were married in September.  They both loved to cook so much that they opened a snack bar and served delicious lunches which grew in popularity and they eventually opened their own restaurant.  The “Down Under” started in a basement shop on Central Avenue then moved to a “down under location” just off of 10th Avenue.  After many years of serving meals, they decided to retire from the Biz.

Sadly, Gwen passed away in 2018.  Since that time, he enjoyed his retirement tinkering with old vehicles and visiting some of the local pubs and restaurants, telling stories and enjoying the kindness and friendship of the staffs and crews.  He will be missed by those who knew him.

Will is survived by his brother, Roger (Carol) Casteel; his son, Allen (Carol) Casteel; daughter, Lauren (Bob) Fronsee.  He was also blessed with eight grandchildren, William (Scott), Greg, and Amber Schoby, RJ, Sarah, Cassie, Misty and Shana Fronsee.  He also had ten great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Ed Heminger and his family. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willard "WIlly" Casteel, please visit our floral store.