Wontor, Edward M. (Ed) 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Sun Lakes, Arizona on February 27, 2017. Ed was born on December 12, 1927 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Michael and Anna Firek Wator. He was the youngest of four brothers and he attended grade school and high school in northeast Minneapolis. After high school, he joined the
Army and spent time in Japan following the end of World War II. Following his military service, he went to business school where he trained to be a Court Reporter. He took his first job in Detroit for a short period of time and then moved to Missoula, Montana after landing a job there. He worked as a Court Reporter in the 4th Judicial District Court in Montana for 35 years until his retirement. While living in Missoula, he met and married Laura Shower, his wife of 45 years until her death in 1998. Ed loved Missoula and was active in the Knights of Columbus,
Elks Lodge, and the Missoula County Park Board. His love of golf produced many rewarding rounds with friends and family at the University of Montana Golf Course. Later, as a member of the Park Board, he was instrumental in the planning and development of the Larchmont Golf Course, which opened in 1982. Ed was well-known in Missoula for many years - at the courthouse, on the golf course, at the downtown diner, and in the bowling alleys of Missoula. He was an active member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and coached 8th grade boys basketball for St. Anthony's for several years. In 1991, Ed and Laura moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona to spend their retirement with their children and grandchildren. Ed continued his love for sports in Arizona and became a big fan of the Cardinals, Suns, Diamondbacks and Arizona State University teams. In 2003, Ed met and married Betty Killa, who also lived in Sun Lakes. They were married for 14 years, enjoying many happy times together. In his later years, Ed enjoyed watching sports on television, doing word find puzzles, eating out at his favorite restaurants and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Ed is survived by his wife, Betty; son, Bruce (Emily Weiss) of Denver; daughter, Pat of Chandler; son, Jim (Mary Alice) of Chandler; two grandchildren, Michael (Kristina) of Scottsdale, and Lisa of Phoenix; and two great-grandchildren, Carson and Kylie, of Scottsdale. A private service will be held at St. Steven's Catholic Church in Sun Lakes, AZ on Tuesday, March 7 at 10:00 AM. Ed's final resting place will be in Missoula, Montana. Donations in Ed's memory may be made to or the Lupus Foundation of America.
Guestbook