Honoring The Legacy Of Bill Salonen In Great Falls

Great Falls Is Mourning The Loss Of A Local Legend

On Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Bill Salonen died in Helena.  He was 90 years old.

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Bill Salonen Made A Name For Himself In Both Sports And Education

Bill Salonen was a native born Montanan, living in Great Falls, Butte, Glasgow, Geyser and Bozeman.

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Mr. Salonen, as he will ALWAYS be known to me, was the principal at Great Falls High School during my tenure.  He was the principal from 1983 to 1988, I graduated in 1986.

Mr. Salonen was also a hall of fame basketball player for MSU. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 2003. From 406 Montana Sports, his record at MSU included:

• 1,377 career points, top 15 all-time for the Bobcats
• Team MVP his last year
• Led in scoring his last two seasons
• two-time all-Rocky Mountain Conference Pick

Before coming to Great Falls, Salonen taught industrial arts and Physical Education in Glasgow. Mr. Salonen moved to Great Falls in 1965 and eventually worked his way up to principal of Great Falls High School in 1983.

Salonen Also Served In The Military

When Mr. Salonen graduated from college, he joined the military in Washington, DC.  Later, when Mr. Salonen moved back to Montana he stayed in the Army Reserve and worked his way up to lieutenant colonel. He served the United States military for 26 years.

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When Are Services Planned For Great Falls?

Services for Mr. Salonen are at 3:30 p.m. August 31, 2024 in the Great Falls High gym. It's the perfect place to say farewell to a Montanan that touched so many lives.