William V. (Bill) Lazetich
William V. (Bill) Lazetich was born October 16, 1916, to Peter and Mary Lazetich. One of nine children, he grew up on the family dairy farm in Anaconda, Montana. He attended Lost Creek School and Anaconda High where he played basketball on the State Championship “Wonder Team” and received a scholarship to the University of Montana in Missoula.
Bill was the first junior in U of M history to win the coveted Grizzly Cup, the award given to the student with the highest all-around excellence in athletics, scholarship, and outstanding service to the University. He was one of the few Grizzly athletes to earn nine varsity letters in three sports. Upon graduation, Bill played professional football for the Cleveland Rams and was later inducted into the U of M Athletic Hall of Fame.
During World War II, Bill served in the Pacific and saw extensive action with the highly decorated First Marine Raider Battalion. He rose to the rank of Captain and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in Okinawa. Upon recovery, he rejoined his troops and on August 30, 1945, he became one of the first Americans to set foot in a defeated Japan.
When Bill returned to Montana to teach and coach, he met the real ‘love of his life,’ Daisy Pekich. They were married on July 20, 1947, and celebrated fifty-five great years and four children. They enjoyed more than thirty years of teaching and coaching at Billings Senior High, three state championships (Football 1947, Basketball 1960 and 1967), AA Coach of the Year, and induction into the Montana High School Coach’s Hall of Fame. In retirement, ‘Marshall’ Bill “worked” for Pro Paul Allen at the Yellowstone Country Club…and Daisy enjoyed every moment.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Daisy, his parents, brothers and sisters. He is survived by his daughter Sandra (Mel) Wattula, Andy (Camila) Wattula and Charlie; son Pete (Cindy) Lazetich, Johnno (Jamie) Lazetich, Nina (Luke) Hammerness; daughter Karen (Mike) Moses, Brandy (Patrick) Straub, Lindsey (Stephen) Guccione and Tymer; and daughter Maria (Jim) Kiplinger, Maddie and Will.
Gentleman, Coach, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great grandfather… Bill passed away on November 18, 2009.
Our Hearts to Bob Zupan…the best coach and friend anyone could ask for…by Dad’s side on the bench in basketball and life…win or lose…good days and bad…you made every team a “Wonder Team” and every day a “Wonder Day.”
Special Thanks to Dr. Steve Gerstner and to the St. John’s Powers Cottage “Wonder Team” for their extraordinary care and caring given Dad and our entire family. God Bless Chiemi, Jaylene, Faith, Stacey, Jackie, Angie, Megan, Felicia, Tara, Kathryn, Talitha, Chad, and Vicki.
Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, November 24, at 1 p.m., Kathy Lillis Chapel, 2429 Mission Way in Billings. Memorials may be made to the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, 415 N 30th, Billings MT 59101 or charity of 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.
I extend my deepest sympathy to the family. I taught for many years with Bill at Billings Senior High. I agree, he was a great gentleman.
Jeanette Schroeder
Mike and Karen and family,
So sorry to see that Bill passed away. Our sympathies and prayers are with your family, and we pray you will be comforted by wonderful memories. I have fond memories of Bill in the office and on the golf course. He was always so friendly and would love watching my golf shots take there errant flights. I enjoyed watching him travel around the course with his single golf club in the cart, and occasionally hit a shot here or there.
I will miss Bill and I am very thankful for his friendship and service through the years to Billings' education system.
God Bless you,
Doug, Lil, and family
For Pete and Cindy,
As a niece of Mel and Goldie Nelson, I send my condolences to you and your family. Your father must have been a wonderful man and I'm hoping the love of family and friends will comfort you and keep his memory alive and vibrant. Mel and Goldie loved you, and Johnno and Nina, too. Paula Nelson, Darby
Maria,
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. God bless you and your family. Your father, Mr. Lazetich is a great man and will be missed. He is on the Lord's team now...
To the family of Bill Lazetich-It has been said: one Marine will gravitate towards another Marine in a crowd, and they will find each other. In the entire time that I knew your great father, I never knew he was a Marine, but I believe we did gravitate towards each other, and I always found pleasure in his company.
In the Marines, we had few heroes, and when we did have them, they were usually other Marines. The raiders stood at the top of our hero list; always. Bill was too humble to make small talk about, or resound upon, his time in the corps, but I would like you to know, the mere qualifications for becoming a raider would sound beyond super-human in today's world. The service the raider battalion contributed in the islands found them leading any aggressive actions; they were not the corps' most decorated band of men by accident. The knowledge alone, that Bill was chosen to be a leader of such men, immortalizes his memory.
Bill was a gentleman, who led by example. He and Mrs. Lazetich were admired and respected by all who knew them, and their children have become good citizens. Few men, or families, accomplish such goals in life. You should be proud.
You have our heartfelt sympathy, The Madings
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bill Lazetich family at this difficult time.
I was honored to know Bill as a Senior High mentor, colleague (chemistry), and friend. His life was a Class Act.
Bill touched many lives with acts of kindness and concern. When a medical emergency occurred, Bill was the first to personally contact faculty as blood donors. His thoughtfulness and determination helped save lives.
May we share a favorite poem with you:
"Memory is a form of immortality,
Those you remember never die.
They continue to walk and
talk with you;their influence is with you always."
by W. Peterson
Marlene (Doerr) and Bob Cushing
I send my condolences to your family. Bill and your family were a great example when growing up. My father (Jerry Walker) had many great friends when I was growing up but Bill was always there for him and our family. Thank you for that.
“There are stars who's light only reaches the earth long after they have fallen appart. There are people who's remembrance gives light in this world, long after they have passed away. This light shines in our darkest nights on the road we must follow.”
God Bless You All
Jeff Walker
Karen, Mike, and family,
I am saddened to hear of your loss. Your father was a great man. I am fortunate to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Mic, Chelsea, and family
M
ARIA Lazetich, etal:I am 50 years old, Senior graduate in 1977; and automatically remember these things about Laz:
1. He preferred Buick LeSabres for Driver's Ed. By alphabetical draw, the kids in our family therefore learned to drive big boats, which came in handy later - parking a Toyota was a breeze.
2. Him draining countless half-court set shots in the gym. Also, there was a track coach, cannot recall his name, and the two would hold out a shot put, straight arm, and hold it seemingly forever in a strength contest that gave young kids no chance.
3. Playing tennis with Maria at Senior; we paired up in a tourney or two after I graduated as a good mixed doubles team.
Like my Italian relatives, Laz was always classy and fun. He couldn't possibly remember but a fraction of the students he met and coached, but he was easily locked in their memory. What a guy!
Brad Crawford, Livingston MT
To Coach Lazetich's family.
Just a note to let you know I am praying for you in this time of loss. Your celebration of life service for Coach was tremendous.it brought back so many great memories and also reminded me just how much Coach Laz influenced me.
I remember how many times he pulled the "hankie" out of his pocket during time outs(always wanted to sew that thing into his back pocket just for fun).
I remember him looking at me in a very close and tense game and saying "#@*%& Rollie, shoot the ball!" Well, Rollie was my uncle and had played about 20+ years prior to me!
I remember him setting a play up for me when I was a Junior in a game up in Havre that called for me to take a last second shot to win the game. I was scared, but he said "after Steve makes the shot, let's fall back into a zone defense" I thought to myself, he already believes I will make the shot so I had better do it. Fortunately it rattled around and fell in! That was a confidence builder for a young man.
I remember Coach Laz his wife inviting our entire team over for a meal my Senior year. What courage!
Coach was a classy guy, always enjoyed slipping up into the stands over the years and talking with he and his other great friends (Mr. Kosich, Mr. Zupan, Coach Alberta etc.) that sat together at the Senior High games.
I was encouraged and influenced by Coach Laz. He is one of the good guys. he will be missed
Steve Strutz
Karen and family, how sad I was to read of Bills passing. What a great life he had and my dad Tuffy Feldman would often share college sport stories of the Bobcats and Griz of old. He touched many people in such a positive way. Heaven has certainly welcomed a good person. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Hertha and staff, First Pharmacy
Please accept our deepest sympathies in the loss of Bill. We have a received a donation to Head Start in memory of Bill from the Joe Hucke family and wanted to be sure you were aware of this gift. This donation will be used to continue serving the low-income children and their families that are served at Head Start.
Again, please accept our condolences in your loss. May you have special memories to carry you through this holiday season.
Denise Johnson
Volunteer Coordinator
Head Start, Inc.
To the Lazetich Family:
I am sorry to hear of Bill's passing and I wanted you all to know he and your mother were two of finest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Bill was one of the finest gentlemen that I have every met and a great man. I can remember when I was in college and he was coaching at Senior and they had a game in Anaconda, so I drove to the game from school and walked into the gym and went to say Hi to Bill and shake is hand. Unbeknown to me he sat me on the bench next to him. Great seat the entire game.
I also remember when Sandy and I were dating we would come home and find Bill listening to a game on the radio and I had to set down with him and have a beer and listen with him.
Just remember all the good times you all have had. Bill will never be forgotten and memory will be around for a long time.
A family Friend,
Ron Nierstheimer
For Maria,
I was so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I arrived in Billings for Thanksgiving, only to hear of this sad news.
It is always hard when we lose a parent. But he left his mark on this world and will be missed.
Take care,
Lucy Johnson
Karen, Mike and all your wonderful family. I've always thought your dad was great. But, after reading today's obituary I realize what a truly remarkable man he was and what an extraordinary life he lead. You all will have so many wonderful memories of your legendary father's, grandfather's life.
Our thoughts are with you. Jack and Penny