Hartley, Willard A., 1907-1996

Willard A. "Bill" Hartley, was born April 22, 1907, and lived most of his life in Missoula, Montana. His parents were Austin and Bessie Hartley, originally from Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada. Bill was raised and educated in Missoula and Stark, Montana. In 1926 his family moved to Greenough, Montana, where he drove buses from Missoula into the Blackfoot River Valley until 1929 when he married Margaret Matthiessen, also of Missoula. Bill and Margaret then moved to Great Falls and operated a service station until 1934, when they returned to Missoula with Bill working for the Anaconda Company. They had one daughter, Shirley (Wyckman). In 1944, the Hartleys moved to Saltese, Montana, and operated the Saltese Inn. In the late 1940s they retruned to Missoula, purchased the Dorothy Apartments, and Mr. Hartley worked for the local Caterpillar dealer selling heavy equipment in Missoula, Kalispell and Butte. Bill Hartley retired in 1972 and died in Missoula on February 28, 1996.

From the guide to the Willard A. Hartley photographs, 1888-circa 1975, (University of Montana-Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)