Patrick Gillet

Patrick Leon Gillet died in his home Saturday, April 7th, of metastatic lung cancer. He was born in Wolf Point, MT on March 17, 1937. Pat's early years were spent in Broadview, MT. For most of the rest of his life he was a Billings resident. He attended grade school at Garfield and Lincoln Jr. High before going to high school at both Central and Billings Senior. Pat also later studied at MSU-Blgs. After working in the trucking business, he spent some time as a credit collector, but his career was destined to be at the Montana State Job Service where he supervised employment and training programs from 1967 until his retirement in the year 2000. Pat was best known for his quick wit and sense of humor. He was often a prankster, but more often the butt of his own jokes. He was sincerely baffled when someone didn't catch one of his humorous comments. He was strong in his values and believed in honesty and integrity. Those qualities drove him in a deep search of conscience and faith over the final decade of his life, and he came to accept Christ Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He was a private man, and few people saw his incredible capacity of compassion, his appreciation of beauty in nature or his spiritual depth. Pat is survived by his companion and best friend of 45 years, Wendy Keating of Billings; his daughter, Kelley Gillet Mahan of Billings; Wendy's son and daughter, Tim Keating also of Billings and Tamara (Jeff) Lindhout of Bellingham, WA.; and his brother, Leroy Gillet of Billings. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Alicia (Marty) Smith and 3 great-granddaughters. He'll be especially missed by Wendy's great granddaughter, Shelby Monson of Laurel. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Gillet and Margaret Wallace; sisters, Margie (John) Coulter, Diane (Wayne) Guptill; and brother Bobby Wallace. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Burial of ashes will commence at a future date.