James Kearns Jr., 86

James William Kearns Jr. (Bill) passed away Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Bozeman, Mont., where he had lived for the last couple of years.

A third-generation Broadwater County resident, Bill was a community activist, philanthropist and lover of fun and social gatherings. He was born to James William Kearns Sr. and Ossia Taylor Kearns on Nov. 1, 1938, in the Broadwater Hospital in Townsend. He and his younger brother, David, attended local schools. He graduated from Broadwater County High School in 1956 to enlist in the U.S. Army Reserve. He trained at Fort Ord, Calif., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. After 10 years in the Reserve, he attained the rank of lieutenant.

Bill and Anita Haniuk of Helena, Mont., were married at St. Helena Cathedral on Jan. 27, 1968, in a blinding blizzard. They were together for 53 years when Anita passed away Jan. 15, 2021. They raised two children, Mary Lynn and James Thomas (Jamie).

Bill's grandfather, Wisconsin native J.P. Kearns, moved to Townsend from Dubuque, Iowa, on June 1, 1899, to help launch the State Bank of Townsend. Because of its conservative philosophy, the bank endured through the 1920s and '30s during the Depression.

Bill graduated from the University of Montana in 1961 with a degree in business administration finance and worked at the bank as an assistant cashier. He learned the banking business from the teller's window on up. He became president and board chairman in 1987. In a 1999 Townsend Star article celebrating the bank's 100th anniversary, editor Jeff Stoffer wrote that Bill realized the importance of modernizing the bank. He instituted a larger loan operation, installment lending, computerizing of accounts and such amenities as a drive-up window. Bill said there were still spittoons in the lobby when he joined the bank. Bill inherited his spirit of community activism. His grandfather, J.P. Kearns, started the bank with J.P.'s uncle, W.E. Tierney. Tierney also started the W.E. Tierney Co., later the Townsend Mercantile and the Townsend House Hotel. From those men, Bill learned the importance of supporting local business activities to sustain a thriving community. He worked hard to help revitalize what is now Heritage Park, including a swimming pool, and he promoted paving Townsend's streets.

The Canyon Ferry Reservoir was filled in 1954. When the lake was partially emptied each winter, Townsend was overtaken by huge dust clouds on windy days, leading to allergies and lung problems among residents. Bill led a group to establish the Canyon Ferry Development Project for dust control.

In the mid-2000s, rural hospitals struggled to stay open. Broadwater Health Center was no different. It closed in 2012, and its nursing home residents moved to other facilities. The hospital was saved thanks to Bill Kearns, the State Bank of Townsend and a countywide "Good Stuff" yard sale organized by county residents. At a memorable town hall meeting, a hospital board member stood up and said, "We're throwing in the towel. We missed a payroll payment." Bill responded, "No! I pledge $100,000. The State Bank will help, too." The bank did help with a $300,000 loan. The hospital was soon back in business, and nursing home residents were also back. Bill called that the biggest thrill of his community activism. "Today, we have a modern, strong hospital serving the community. I shudder to think what would have happened to our little town had the hospital closed for good."

Bill helped organize and was active in many other county organizations, including Broadwater Jaycees, Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce, Broadwater County Red Cross, Townsend Senior Housing Association, Broadwater Community Foundation, Broadwater Historical Society, Old Baldy Recreation Association, Holy Cross Catholic Church and Townsend Rotary Club. He also served on the Canton Church Restoration Board and the Broadwater Community Development Corporation Board.

Bill's state organization activities included the Montana Bankers Association, Montana Teachers Retirement System, Montana Board of Investments, Helena Catholic Diocese, University of Montana Alumni Association, and the American Banking Association Community Banking Council.

Bill was forever raising money for all manner of causes. His opening line to a prospective donor was, "I'll give $100. What will you give?" It was hard to turn him down.

Bill and Anita took crazy parts and acted them out with aplomb. They built wonderful friendships during their time in the Broadwater Military Affairs Committee, which they formed with Troy and Shirley Helmick.

Bill took an interest in politics when he ran for state legislature. His opponent, Joy Nash, a well-known, experienced politician, was the wife of Townsend's Dr. Frank Nash. She and Dr. Nash were good friends of the Kearnses as well. Mrs. Nash easily won the race against the younger Kearns, and her slogan was "Don't vote for the boy; vote for Joy." That ended Bill's political aspirations.

When Bill and Anita's children were grown and gone, Bill continued to work through Townsend Elementary School to mentor boys who needed help. He said he loved working with the kids, seeing them have an easier time getting through school and, hopefully, through life.

Bill and Anita loved raising roses in their garden and traveling. They cruised to Russia and Europe, enjoying the wonders of Turkey, Greece, New Zealand and the Caribbean Islands. They felt right at home in Ireland and Ukraine, the homes of their ancestors. They visited every state in the Union and enjoyed winters at Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

In June 2023, Bill moved to Bozeman and resided at The Springs Assisted Living. He spent his time there attending live music performances, playing poker and bingo, seeing films shown on the onsite theatre and laughing and joking with friends he made there and the wonderful staff, who were like family.

Bill loved people, beginning with his wonderful family, who remember his kindness, laughter, and generosity.

Survivors include daughter Mary (Bill) Hickey of Bozeman, Mont., and son Jamie (Kaye) of Hayden, Idaho; grandchildren Sarah Hickey, Molly Ann Hickey, Sean Hickey, James David (Annika) Kearns, Lydia Ann Kearns, and great-grandson James Sawyer Kearns. Bill is also survived by his brother, David, of Townsend, sister-in-law Donna Wise of Helena, Mont., Lynn Haniuk of Bozeman, Mont., Theresa of Las Vegas, Nev., Gail Kennedy (Bruce) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Caryn Scow of Helena, Mont., and brother-in-law Marc Haniuk (Trisha) of Ellensburg, Wash.

Thank you to Stillwater Hospice for the loving care they gave to Bill over the last few months.

Memorial services will be held later this summer.

Memorials in his name may be made to charities of the donor's choice.