George W. Wamsley Jr. flew his final mission into the sunset on June 12, 2013, in Helena, Montana.
George was born in Manhattan, MT on April 4, 1915, the third son of Grace and George Wamsley Sr. He was raised in Charlo, MT where he was a star athlete as well as an accomplished musician and band leader. He attended the University of Montana, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
During WWII he served as a Major in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945. While in the service he flew C-47 cargo planes in Papua New Guinea. He flew over 250 combat missions, and was awarded five Distinguished Flying Crosses for his bravery.
In 1942 he married Janet Ottman of Missoula MT, and had two sons, Bill and Richard. After his discharge in 1945 he returned to Montana, and went to work for the Union Oil Company in Kalispell. In 1961 George moved his family from Kalispell to Scottsdale, AZ, where he became a builder and real estate developer. He was also a founder of the Bank of Scottsdale. His wife Janet passed away in Scottsdale in 1970.
In 1974 he married Barbara Wilson, from Lewistown, MT. In 1978 he and Barbara moved to Prescott, AZ, where he opened a residential brokerage company. In 2003 they moved to Helena, where they both lived until their recent deaths.
He was the author of “American Fly-Boy,†a tale of his life growing up in Charlo through the end of his time as a WWII pilot in 1945.
George was a generous man with a tremendous sense of humor and a gregarious personality. Everybody who met him instantly became a friend. An accomplished raconteur, he could entertain people for hours with stories of growing up in Montana and flying in the South Pacific. When you picture in your mind the storyteller who kept people enthralled for hours with his tales of flying slow, heavily loaded planes full of soldiers and supplies into remote locations without knowing which side was in control of the airstrip, or of his childhood escapades in Charlo, you are thinking of George. In addition to his fun side, he will always be remembered for his warm, kind and gracious spirit.
We want to extend a special ‘Thank You†to Chuck Butler of Helena, a family friend who selflessly provided hours of companionship to George over the past few years.
Survivors include Bill Wamsley and Bill’s wife, Anne Scully, of Mill Valley, California; his sister Marney Wamsley of St. Paul, Minnesota; daughter-in-law Joanne Wamsley and granddaughters Amy and Katie Wamsley, of Gilbert, Arizona; stepdaughters Katherine Cox of Clayton, NC, and Mary Jo Cyr of Grand Rapids, MI; his sister-in-law Connie Wamsley of Billings, as well as many nephews and nieces, including Rod Wamsley of Charlo. His son Richard, wives Janet and Barbara, and brothers, Joe, Jim, Gene, Philip and Francis all preceded him in death.
There will be a memorial Mass at 10:00 am Monday, July 8, at St. Joseph’s Mission in Charlo. A short memorial will follow at the Catholic Cemetery in St. Ignatius. There will be a social gathering at Ninepipes Lodge immediately following the service at St. Ignatius.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in George’s honor to the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana, 69316 U.S. 93, Charlo MT 59824, or to a charity of your choice. To offer condolences to the family please visit www.helenafunerals.com
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Reader Interactions
Memories
Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.
Mary Borden says
Our dad, Alan Fryberger, claimed George as one his very best friends from Charlo, along with the rest of the Wamsley brothers. Dad played piano in one of George’s dance bands, and according to dad they shared alot of escapades growing up, including hopping the train to Ronan for music lessons. George’s dad, “Old G.W.,” paid for alot of instruments for school kids who couldn’t afford them.
And, I believe they signed up together for the service (Army Air Corp) in Missoula right after Pearl Harbor. They both served in the South Pacific, (Dad as an airplane mechanic) but not sure if they ever connected while there. I know they kept in touch through the years, but moreso after George and Barbara moved to Helena. Dad loved George’s book, American Flyboy, and they did share many hours of story-telling (George telling and dad and the rest of us laughing.) We learned more about dad’s service time than he ever told us! They obviously shared common history and a huge amount of respect for each other. George was a fine, fine man and we are glad we got to know him, and because of him, we knew our dad better too.
Mary Borden and Julie Fryberger, Hamilton MT
Dick Brady says
Sorry to hear about Mr. Wamsley and Dick Wamsley I was Dicks best friend at St.Mathews grade school in Kalispell. I used to stay overnight at their Home across from the Conrad Mansion. It was always fun there. The Wamsleys were very nice people. Sincerely Dick Brady
Jim Edmiston says
Dear Bill Wamsley, It’s been several years since we last visited, and have wondered since about George. The last time I visited with George was when we had lunch together after he moved to Helena. George and I spent many years together; shared offices, and various projects. The last office we occupied together was in the new Bank of Scottsdale bank building. Of course, during that time, we lived in Scottsdale a few blocks apart. In our many trips earlier from Kalispell to Phoenix, we spent the time visiting and telling war stories. I always remember George as my very best friend. If I survive ’till October, I will be 91, so I’m probably not far behind. My best to you and the rest of the family. Phillis and Marla send their condolences to you and the rest of the family, as well. In loving memory and sympathy, James G. Edmiston