Roy Balsley

Roy P. Balsley passed away at his home in Chester MT on June 8th 2018.  He was born in Doyon, ND on January 9th 1933 the youngest of 9 born to Fred and Lillian Balsley.  He went to school in Crary, ND where he met the love and his life Karen Burkstrand Balsley.  They wed in Devils Lake and began their family.  In 1954 they packed the car and brought their 2 boys with another on the way to Montana.  They found themselves in Rudyard at Kline's where Roy went in new to town and came out employed. He fibbed to the boss a bit. He had never driven a semi, but learned how to operate one by watching the boss on his ride up to the Sweet Grass Hills. There was a load of rocks that had to be hauled to where they were building Tiber Dam.  He made that first haul and 1000s more after that.  He moved from Rudyard to Galata following Evan Trucking jobs running his own crew and becoming the bosses right hand man.  He left Evan Trucking when he got on with Montana Power company.   He was transferred to Havre and started from the bottom reading meters.  Havre is also where he bought his first house.  During his time in Hill county he bought a bar south of Havre called the Spur Tavern.  After selling the Spur and trading towns with his friend and co-worker Jim Englend.  Roy settled in Chester in 1964.  He worked his way up to Montana Power town manager and built his dream home in 1975.  He owned and co-owed many business throughout the years, R and J camper sales, Chester trailer court, Hi Line Trenching, Hi line Yamaha.  He was proud of what he made for his family and himself.  He retired in 1988 from MT Power, but continued operating Hi line Trenching which he still did jobs up through the late nineties, and Hi Line Yamaha which closed in 1995.  His wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and he took care of her at their home until she passed in 2012.  The past few years he continued to live his life by his rules. He enjoyed auctions, rodeos, snowmobiling, traveling and just being him.  Roy is preceded in death by his loving wife Karen Balsley, his son Michael R. Balsley, his grandson Michael J. Balsley and his great grandson Michael P. Balsley, his parents Fred and Lillian and all of his siblings.  He is survived by his sons, Phillard E. Balsley (Debbie)- Helena MT, Wilfred ”Fuzzy” Balsley (Sherrill)-Valier MT his only daughter Marilyn Balsley Kealoha-Chester MT. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  There will be a grave site service on July 14th at the Chester non-denominational cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the City Park.