Joseph Cahill

Joseph William Cahill, 79, of Billings passed away in his home on March 20, 2023. Joe was born to Lt William Lloyd Cahill and Wilda Davis on January 24, 1944, at Ft F. E. Warren, Laramie, Wyoming. When his dad's tour was over, the family moved to Bozeman, MT. Joe graduated from Holy Rosary High School in Bozeman in 1962. He attended Carroll College, and while there, he joined the Holy Cross Brothers in Rolling Prairie, Indiana. When he left the Brothers, he returned to Carroll and graduated in 1968.

Joe became a Social Worker for the State of Montana Welfare Department. He worked in the Big Timber and Great Falls offices until he became the County Director of the Pondera County Welfare Office. He decided to return to school for his Masters Degree in Social Work and in 1972, moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and then returned with his Masters to the Yellowstone County Welfare Office. He became a supervisor over the workers in several counties around Billings and then moved to Lewistown, where he was the supervisor of several counties, including some of the ones near Billings.

When he retired from the State, he was the social worker for the Lewistown Head Start Program. Then, he accepted a job with a private company that provided social workers for the Air Force and moved to Great Falls again. After 5 years, he “retired” for good. He then moved back to Billings and became a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) at St John's Nursing Home. After he “fully” retired, he was in the business of “Granddaddy Day Care”.

That's the basics. Here's the fun stuff. Along about August 10, 1970, this little Southern Belle (Mary Kathryn Shown) sashayed into the Great Falls office to begin working as a Social Worker. On August 12th, he asked her out on their first date. They had a few dates, and then SKI SEASON hit. A friend of hers in Nashville predicted she would meet her Marlboro Man. Kay wrote back saying she couldn't find him, instead she met a social worker who wanted to become a Ski Bum!! From then on, they went skiing every weekend until he felt she was good enough to ski Big Mountain in Whitefish, MT. Her thoughts were, “I'll ski down once and then sit in the lodge and read a book.” They arrived at the hill after lunch; got on the lift and were off. Four and a half hours later, they arrived at the bottom of the hill (the lift had been closed for 30 minutes). Why?? It's a long story.

Shortly after, there was a marriage proposal and plans for a trip to Nashville for a wedding on July 31, 1971. Life was good. Still was after almost 52 years of marriage. Joe always told people we were still trying to see if it would “work out”. Well, it did. Our children are Edward Joseph Cahill (spouse is Jenn Wittman) of Bayport, NY, and Alicia Kathryn Cahill Hutzenbiler (spouse is JJ Hutzenbiler) of Billings. Our grandchildren are Logan Edward Hutzenbiler (Billings), Aila Rose Cahill (Bayport, NY), and Lorelai Kathryn Hutzenbiler (Billings).

The Memorial Service for Joseph William Cahill, 79, of Billings will be Friday, March 24 at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. in the Day Chapel. Service will also be live streaming from the St. Pius X website.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Shriners Children's Hospital at https://lovetotherescue.org