James "Mac" Mcwilliams

James Leroy McWilliams, Mac, 65, of Great Falls, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2014from natural causes at his home.Amemorial service will be held Tuesday, August 5 at 10 a.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapelat 1410 13th St. South, Great Falls, MT. A reception and celebration of Jims life will follow at Classic 50s Casino. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Jim was born March 5, 1949 in Great Falls. He graduated from Charles M. Russell High School in 1967. He proudly began serving his country when he entered the U.S. Army in 1969 to 1971.He began serving in the United States Air Force in 1983 and was a veteran of Vietnam Era, Peacetime and Gulf War Era and served in Operation Just Cause; Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Operation Enduring Freedom. Mac had a 27 year career with the Montana Air National Guard as an aircraft electrician, retiring in 2008.Jim enjoyed telling a good story, fishing, camping and traveling with his family and friends. He also enjoyed playing golf, cooking and woodworking. He was proud of the home he built for his family.Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Faye McWilliams; daughters Keri McWilliams of Missoula and Jennifer (Erik) Holmstrom of Boulder, CO; son Michael McWilliams (Paris) of Los Angeles, CA; brother Ron (Lora) McWilliams of Great Falls. In addition he is survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Phyllis McWilliams; brother, Frank McWilliams; sister, Linda VandenBos; and his beloved cat, Pugsley.Jim will be remembered by his big grin, ease of making friends and willingness to always help his friends and family.Memorials in memory of Jim may be made to an organization serving Veterans or a charity of your choice.