Willis Curdy Biography

All About Willis

Willis is a 4th generation Montanan who was raised on the family’s Bitterroot Valley working ranch.  Attending the University of Montana on an athletic scholarship, graduating with a BA in History, he also earned a Masters of Education. From 1971-2000 at Hellgate High School Willis taught U.S. Government, Montana History and Economics. He enjoyed working with youth and was also a high school girls and boys basketball official for 10 years.

Serving as a U.S. Forest Service smokejumper for thirty years he accumulated over 300 jumps and several hundred fire assignments, Willis is currently red-carded for fire assignments. Not slowing down in “retirement” he took a full-time position as a pilot with the Forest Service in 2000. Willis holds several pilot ratings, certificates and a Master Parachute Riggers license from the FAA.

Willis and his wife Gloria have lived in the Big Flat area for nearly 28 years. They have two sons and five grandchildren and can often be found enjoying the company of their family. Willis is a small business owner sharing responsibilities with his family on the ranch that they have owned for over 60 years.

He currently serves on the Target Range Homeowners Association Executive Board. He was elected to the Missoula Rural Fire District Board of Trustees and Big Flat Irrigation District Commission. Willis served on the Board of Directors for the Western Montana Teachers Center and has volunteered at the Alberton School.  Willis is a member of the Missoula Back country Horsemen and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  He is an avid elk and deer hunter and fisherman in the lower Clark River Valley.