William Warren (Bill) Tarr, 87

William Warren (Bill) Tarr, 87, of Kalispell, formerly Whitefish, passed away on July 21, 2024.

Bill was born on Oct. 27, 1936, in Oak Park, Illinois. After graduating from high school Bill joined the Coast Guard where he served for four years based out of New Jersey. 

After serving in the Coast Guard Bill returned to Illinois where, for several years, he drove a delivery truck for Jay’s Potato Chip company. 

In 1959 Bill married Elizabeth Ann Berger and two boys were born to them; Mark in 1961 and Warren in 1963. In 1967 the family of four moved to Whitefish, where Bill went to work for Plum Creek. He began his career at Plum Creek as a millwright and was superintendent of the mill when he retired.

As the boys grew up Bill became a Scout master, a wrestling coach and referee and later as Mark became an ultramarathon runner, Bill was his number one fan and race supporter. The Tarr’s lived on the banks of the Whitefish River for 54 years and enjoyed canoeing the river both competitively and recreationally. As well as canoeing Bill was an avid skier, a season pass holder on The Big Mountain from 1968 (pass #1) to 2022. 

Bill had many other hobbies and interests including bicycling, music, woodworking, British sports cars and hot rods. Being a millwright, not only did he enjoy these hobbies, but additionally he built what he was into: paddles, canoes, bicycles and guitars.

After Ann’s death in 2012, Bill met his new best friend, Kay Marie Page. They were married in Hawaii on Nov. 30, 2013. The two enjoyed camping, boating, traveling, lots of laughter, playing cards and life along the river. 

Bill was active his entire life until the last two years when his health began to decline, and Kay became his faithful, loving caregiver.

He is survived by many friends and family: wife, Kay Page Tarr of Kalispell; his son, Mark and wife Yvonne of Columbia Falls; son, Warren of Vancouver, Washington; grandchildren, Allison, Aric and Katerina; and great-grandchildren, Sydney, Morgan, Elias, Luca and Nova. 

No services are planned. The ashes of both Bill and Ann were recently scattered by their family from the family dock on the Whitefish River.