Charles "Chuck" Finley

Donations made be made to the Big Horn County Museum 1163 3rd St E Hardin, Montana 59034 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

Services will be held at a later time.

Charles Edward Finley, 90 passed away on October 29, 2021, at the Big Horn Senior Living Hardin, Montana. Chuck as he was affectionately known, was born November 28, 1930, a son of Ira and Mary (McCurdy) Finley in Billings, Montana. He was raised in Lockwood and attended school in Billings graduating from Billings Senior High in 1949. Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950 and received his honorable discharge in 1954. He returned to Billings and worked on the Finley family farm.

Chuck married Rene Schilling on November 17, 1956, in Billings, Montana. The couple made their first home in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he worked for Land Air Incorporated. In 1957 they moved back to Billings, where Chuck attended business college and worked for Burlington Trucking and continued working on the family farm. Chuck and Rene moved to Hardin in 1967, where he managed the Elks Club until 1971, when he purchased the Becker Hotel and Bar. Chuck owned and operated the Becker until 1984. The couple had two sons Patrick and Bryan.

Chuck’s passion was playing golf. He loved the game and played every chance he could spending time with friends and relatives. Chuck assumed the responsibility of groundskeeper at the Fort Custer Golf Course and worked diligently to keep the course in top condition. He retired from the course in 2013.

Chuck was proud of his boys and enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters. He and Rene would travel to spend holiday times with their families.

He is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, his sons Patrick and his wife Christine of Denver, Colorado and Bryan and his wife Kristen, of Lake Stevens, Washington; his sister Marjorie Gillison of Billings; granddaughters Casey and Piper; in laws Gladys Herman and Mardie (Bill) Morris and Clair Schilling as well as many nieces and nephews.

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