Charles Peterson

Charles Leland Peterson was born November 17, 1955, and died June 12, 2016. He was born to George W. Peterson and Charlene Janice (Waddell) Peterson in Billings, MT. He grew up in Billings, raised by his grandparents, Charles and Jean Waddell. He moved to Washington when he was 8 to live with his mother and stepfather, Richard Chuinard and brother Isaac Chuinard , and in 1974 graduated high school from Timberline High in Lacey, WA. Charles married his high school sweetheart Kristine Tyler November 19, 1974. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1974 and became a paramedic stationed in Germany during the Vietnam Era. He was honorably discharged in 1978 and moved back to Billings. He met his second wife, Laurie J. Mehring, and they were married June 7, 1979. Charles delved into a variety of careers. He graduated from MSU-B with a Bachelor's Degree of Arts on August 25, 2000. He created beautiful noteworthy bronze sculptures among other art work. He worked at Western Sugar Coop for 9 years as a control room operator and mechanic until his disability. Charles leaves behind his devoted son, Trever J. Peterson; loving daughter Ambrosia J. Young; loving aunt Patricia Waddell; uncle Don Waddell and family; as well as his grandchildren which he visited often, Akira J. Lovshin, Karma L. Young, Landon M. Shackelford and all of his extended family which he loved a lot. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and Uncle Dave Waddell. He embraced hobbies in Harley bikes and old cars. He lived life to the fullest and loved big, including these last months creating “Stroke Art” stain glass projects. He fought the fight to live long and exceeded his own expectations. We will always cherish Charles and all our good memories with him. Memorial Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 17, 2016 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Inurnment will be in Yellowstone National Cemetery.