Melvin "Pete" Hoiness
Melvin “Pete” Hoiness passed away December 11, 2009 at the age of 77
Pete was born on July 6, 1932 the son of Melvin and Alice Hoiness in Billings Montana.
Pete Hoiness graduated from Billings Senior High-School and graduated from the University of Montana with a Degree in Business and Law – “Go Griz”. Pete was proud to be a Veteran, serving his country in the United States Air Force. While in college Pete was President of the Student Union, Business Manager of the Association of Students and member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Pete was a dedicated father and husband, enjoying a loving family and an illustrious career in the Insurance business.
Pete began his insurance career at the old C.M. Hoiness Agency with his uncle C.M. “Pinky” Hoiness and cousin Jim Hoiness. C.M. Hoiness Insurance was later merged with the A.L “Bud” LaBar Agency in 1959, forming Hoiness–LaBar Insurance. Hoiness-LaBar Insurance grew to be one of the largest locally owned independent agencies in Montana, the Northwest, and the United States.
Pete held many board positions including President of the Billings Board of Insurers, President of Independent Insurance Agents of Montana, President of Montana Insurance Education Foundation and State National Director of Independent Agents for the state of Montana.
Pete was especially proud of his civic duties and serving the Billings community which includes serving as a member of the Billings Study Commission – affecting the Billings city charter, Billings Kiwanis (25 year member), Billings Rotary, Ashlar Masonic Lodge, Past Exalted Ruler of Elks 394, Al Bedoo Shrine, President of the Billings Jaycees, Chairman of Billings Fire Commission, and a founding member of Billings Crime Stoppers.
Pete’s family was one of the original founders of the Billings Clinic. Pete and Lois believed in, and continue to support the mission of the Billings Clinic.
Pete was one of the first members of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors and was in the first class that graduated from the state of Montana. He taught continuing education for Billings Architectural Association, Montana Bar Association, Eastern Montana College, and Rocky Mountain College.
Pete, and his wife Lois, enjoyed spending time at the family ranch located in Boyd Montana, raising pure bred long horn, Black Angus cattle and family memories
He is survived by his lovely wife of 56 years Lois Hoiness, his sister Sonja Bennett, his two sons Chris (Wife Tracy, Children Tara, Brady, Brad and Devan) and Steven (Wife Kathy, Children Meghan and Adam).
His family will miss him and know that he is at peace.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 10:00 AM at the American Lutheran Church in Billings, MT. Memorials can be made to a charity of your choice
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Hoiness Family, we are saddened by your loss and wish you strengthen and peace in this time of mourning. Our prayers are with you.
Marv and Susan Jordan, Great Falls
Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family at this time. I remember Pete as an honorable insurance business man and how much he enjoyed his registered Angus cattle.
May he rest in peace.
Dick and Dorothy STRATFORD
We will all miss Uncle Pete and many have lasting memories of the wonderful person that he was. My own personal memories of Pete during family Christmas get-togethers at the Hoiness home or vacationing at the family cabin during the summer will live with me forever. Thinking of him standing out in the middle of the Boulder River fly-fishing takes me back more than 35 years. Luckily, we had the chance to see Pete & Lois last summer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris & Steven and their families...he will be sorely missed.
Brian Bennett & Dawn Mateer, Phoenix, AZ
Chris,Tracy & family,
We are sorry for you loss of your father,Chris.
Our prayers are with you & your family at this difficult time.
God Bless you all.
Connie & Butch Nielsen
Plentywood, MT
Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer.
Tracy Kurkoski
Billings Clinic
Lois, Chris, Steve and Families,
We are so sorry in you loss. All the beautiful memories gathered through the years are yours to keep forever!
Mary Ellen Lantis, Lantis Enterprises, Cammy, Wendy, Leah and Travis Lantis and families.
We are sending our most sincere thoughts and prayers to your family. I remember Pete as an honorable insurance man and a man who also enjoyed his registered Angus cattle.
Most sincerely,
DICK and Dorothy Stratford
Lois, Chris, Steve and families,
My family and I will sorely miss Pete and we will carry lasting memories of him from spending many a cold morning warming up in the 'little house' drinking hot cider and eating Lois's cookies(sometimes too many) after helping feed the cows in my childhood to the exciting branding parties and helping build the new house to the golf lessons in the yard and the many morning coffee hours telling of their travels over the last 15 years that I have leased and took care of the ranch. Pete was a mentor to me and was very instrumental in the success I have had in the Angus cattle. He helped me to persevere in the cattle business and keep thinking positive through the droughts and cold winters. Pete was a great optimist and we know he is resting in peace.
God bless you all,
Jason, Annette, Hunter, and Jade Harrison
To all the Hoiness family..........God Bless you all during this sad time. May all your wonderful memories remain with you always.
Both my husband Jerry and I remember our fun but short little visit in Suprise, AZ. We are now in the Absarokee area.
Yes, I am the oldest daughter of Harold and Mickey Hoines of the Luther area.
Gerald and Loretta Hoines-Dell
My sincere condolences to all of you and your families. Pete was a HUGH influence in my life first by hiring me at Hoiness LaBar. He guided me and influenced me through the insurance world allowing me to have a career that would always be a benefit to me. Many years later I was told that Pete had influenced a banker to approve me for a loan to buy my own business. Not until five years later when the business was paid off was I told that I was given the loan because of what Pete had told them. He always had a smile and was a true gentleman. I pray that you will hold onto your memories and draw strength from them. God bless all of you.
Mary Brazill
Pete Hoiness Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We consider Pete family. We are his Brothers from Beta Delta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. We know that Pete wore the White Cross of Sigma Chi with distinction and respect.
I worked for a couple of years in 1976 and 1977 with Gerharz and Company in Billings and had a couple of conversations with Pete. I enjoyed those calls and the information I gathered about Pete from those discussions.
If you have any needs or if we can be of service to you, then please contact us.
In hoc,
Walter J. Kero
Beta Delta Chapter
Sigma Chi
Class of 1973