Willis James Chopwood

Willis James Chopwood, 82, passed away on March 2, 2025 in Billings, Mt. Willis was born to Sylvia and Benjamin Chopwood in 1943. He attended grade school at Kirkaldie Country School and Lodge Pole, and high school at Flandreau Indian School, later on attending college at MSU Northern in Havre, Mt. In 1966 he married the love of his life, Val Messerly. Together they were blessed with 2 children. Willis and Val were each other's best friends and helpmates. They were inseparable, leaning on each other throughout their lives. They traveled together and enjoyed life to the fullest. Val was the love of his life. He always told her that she was his right hand and his left hand. When he became ill, she never left his side. Willis also had some close friends he considered his brothers Charlie Ereaux, Hawkey Jackson and Willie Bradley. Willis was a true cowboy. Since he was a small boy all he ever wanted to do was cowboy. He loved horses and was an excellent horseman. He also loved children and enjoyed teaching them to ride and be cowboys. He had a string of broncs and roping cattle and enjoyed teaching young people to rope and ride rough stock. Young men would come from miles away to learn to cowboy. In the early 70's - through the late 80's Willis and Val held the annual Mother's Day Rodeo. People came from all over to compete and spectate. Willis enjoyed riding horses up until he was 81 years old. In early 2024 Willis was diagnosed with cancer. It was then that he gave his heart to the Lord. His family is blessedly assured that Willis is in the kingdom of heaven with his Lord Jesus Christ. Willis loved his grandkids and doted on all of them. He enjoyed buying them horses and teaching them to ride. They brought him great joy and they were all very special to him. His grandchildren include Lacey Phillips, his very special great granddaughter and namesake CharLee Jinks Hoops, Tia Zander, Kylee Zander, his first and very special grandson Tyus Zander, Dane Strike, Carter, West (Celeste), Sheldon, Colby and Carl.

Willis is preceded in death by his grandparents Miles and Eva Burnt Hand, his mother Sylvia Burnt Hand, his father Benjamin Chopwood, and his step dad Moses Many Coos whom he loved dearly, brothers Henry "Hank" Chopwood and Darrell "Bud" Comesatnight, uncles Joe Burnt Hand and Edward "Eddie" Burnt Hand.

Willis is survived by his wife Val, his daughters Tina (Richard Phillips) of Dodson, Valerie (Stan Zander Jr.) of Hays, and Julie Messerly of Great Falls, Mt., a niece Caroline Comesatnight (Darcy Azure) of Kalispell and nephew Norman Bell of Lodge Pole. All of his grandchildren and great grandchild.

A wake will be held at the Medicine Bear Lodge in Lodge Pole on Wednesday March 5 at 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at Medicine Bear Lodge at 11 am on Thursday March 6, 2025 followed with burial services held at the Chopwood Ranch on Route 11 8 miles East of Lodge Pole, Mt.

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