William Bingham Dickson
May 7, 1946 – Dec. 26, 2023
William “Bill” Bingham Dickson, 77, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
He was born May 7,1946, in Lovell to William Earl and Margaret Bingham Dickson.
Bill was raised in Lovell, where he grew to love the outdoors. He made countless memories hunting, fishing and camping in the Big Horn Mountains with his family. Devil’s Canyon was like a second home in the summers, where he learned the art of fly fishing. He especially loved the days when his dad would bring tin foil and a salt shaker and before leaving, they would make a small fire, put the fish in the foil with a bit of salt and eat the spoils of the day.
In 1966 Bill served a mission in the Buffalo, New York, area for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning from his mission he attended a year of college at Ricks College in Rexburg Idaho.
In May of 1970, he met his wife of 47 years, Margaret Elizabeth Thomas, while working road construction in Rock Springs, Wyoming. They were married in Craig, Colorado, on September 21, 1970, and together they raised four beautiful children.
In 1971 Bill and Margaret moved to Colstrip, Montana, where Bill was hired by Long Construction (later known as Western Energy), working at the coal mine, where he would spend the next 37 years at the tiple, loading coal trains and supplying coal for Montana Power.
Bill was an amazing mechanic. He loved working on any vehicle that had wheels. When he and Margaret were first married, he rebuilt a car engine in the back bedroom of the family mobile home. Margaret said when they sold the mobile home there was still red spray paint that had over-sprayed on one of the walls that had not been completely covered with newspaper.
Bill was also an inventor. He liked using his table saw and welder to create tools that he could not find in any store for different projects he was working on.
When Bill wasn’t at work or fiddling in the garage, he could be found out in the woods, teaching his sons to hunt and fish. During hunting season all three of his boys learned to hunt wild game and process the meat, a skill that they use to support their families today.
Throughout his life, Bill served his community and the Lord in various capacities. He coached Little League baseball, served as Scout master and helped construct the community pinewood derby track. He also served as a Sunday school teacher, Ward executive secretary and councilor to his bishop. In 2008, Bill and Margaret moved to Hyde Park, Utah, to be close to their children and grandchildren. During that time, Bill served as a temple ordinance worker in the Logan, Utah, Temple.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Margaret Dickson; sisters Barbara Moncur, Gloria Dickson and Hazel Woodward; and son Michael Ray Dickson.
He is survived by his ex-spouse, Margaret Elizabeth Dickson; children Allison (Kurt) Chaffin, Will (Karen) Dickson and Alan (Jeanine) Dickson; siblings Marilyn (Bill) Karlinsey, Brian (Linnea) Dickson, Elaine (Allen) Harvey and Val (Andy) Dickson; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held graveside on Friday, July 5, at 11 a.m. at the Lovell Cemetery officiated by Bishop Richard Walker. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charitable organization of your choice.