Guy A. Howlett, 1960-2019

My Facebook feed presented me with some sad and unexpected news this morning: Guy Howlett passed away this past Thursday. He was 58.

I was introduced to Guy by Willie Bateman (from Bonner) in April 2013. Willie was featured in a article in the The Missoulian about traveling by stagecoach through the Hellgate Canyon. I tracked him down to ask him what he knew about Betters' Station. He referred me to Guy, and what a referral it was! Guy not only seemed to be the unofficial resident historian for the Clinton area, he had lived next door to my second-great-aunt Fannie and her son, Ernest ("Ern") when he was little.

Guy had all kinds of information for me about the Betters family and the history of the area, and what he didn't know, he was willing to research. All for this complete stranger who called him up out of the blue. He even offered to give me a "five cent tour of the area" the next time I was in Clinton. I took him up on that offer, stopping in on one of my trips to Missoula. He drove me around Clinton, pointed out landmarks, showed me where half-a-dozen Betters had lived in the past, and shared with me some entertaining stories about Ern. Where there were gaps in the facts, he told me his theories.

Over the years, when I had new breakthroughs in my research on the Betters and Clinton, I shared it with Guy, and when researching, I always made a point to keep an eye out for anyone named "Hagen" or "House" (his ancestors, who were also early settlers in the area), so I could return the favor for all the leads he'd given me.

I wish I could tell you more about Guy, but I don't know a lot. What I can tell you is that he was always very helpful and friendly with me, and seemed to be extremely genuine. I feel like he gave me more than I ever gave to him. I guess that means that I am now forever indebted to him.

Here is a tribute that his friend, Dale Moore, posted to Facebook (click to enlarge):

Guy's obituary has been posted here.

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