Leslie Arthur Bobier

Leslie A. Bobier, 87, of Belt, MT, passed away on December 7, 2011, at Bonaventure of Idaho Falls. He was born in Livingston, MT, on September 27, 1924, to Eben and Marjorie Bailey. His aunt Gladys and Art Bobier raised him. He loved growing up in Pony, MT. After high school graduation, Les attended the Farragut, ID, Naval Training Station. During WWII he was a boatswain's mate aboard the USS PCE 870 and the USS Octorara, crossing the Panama Canal several times. His lifelong love of fishing was even tried unsuccessfully in the Canal. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he made his way back to Montana. On March 23, 1947, Les married Gladys Paulson of Belt--a union that lasted 57 years. Les was your man if you needed assistance in the paint and hardware departments of Wards and Sears. A love of horses led Dad to joining the sheriff's posse where he played cowboy polo. Les began his career as a Cascade County Deputy Sheriff in 1964 and retired as a lieutentant in July, 1989. He and Keith Wolverton started the Cascade County K-9 Unit which became a training school out on Belt Creek. Some of his former students still keep in touch. Retirement brought the pleasure of enjoying his grandkids, fishing with his buddies Nick and Bob, playing pinochle, assisting at the Belt Valley Senior Citizen Center, and tending his flock of chickens, geese, and ducks. After Gladys' passing in 2004 he kept company with his dog Happy. She was delighted to share his breakfast of eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns, not to mention the trips to Belt for fried chicken. He and his tender heart purchased many bags of cat food for the strays that came to stay. Les was predeceased by his biological and adoptive parents, wife Gladys, daughter Virginia, brother Richard, and sisters Katherine, Virginia, and Evelyn. Surviving are his daughters Kimerie (Terry) Harvey of Billings, MT, and Paulette (John) Conquergood of Idaho Falls, ID, and son Mark (Louise) Bobier of Nampa, ID. Four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews also remain. Many thanks to his caregivers at Onesource Hospice, Bonaventure Memory Care, loyal neighbors and friends. Should you desire, memorials may be made to the Belt Valley Ambulance, Belt, MT 59412, or to the Belt swimming pool. Private family services will be held at a later date.