Illa Mae Willmore

Illa Willmore, 92 of Roy Montana was reunited with Warren and Dawn Marie in heaven on May 21,2026. Illa was born in Los Angeles California on December 7, 1933 to parents Osborne (Jack) and Ida LeBrun. She moved to Oregon at a young age.

She did her schooling in Oregon and graduated high school at the age of 17 from Ashland high school. She then took a job as a telephone operator.

Illa and her parents took a trip to Roy, Montana in July of 1952. Illa recalls Warren wasn't home when they arrived, he was out gathering cattle, but when he did arrive and she saw him for the first time he was coming to the house from the barn with a huge grin on his face. She stared at this tall lanky cowboy, who was stopped dead in his tracks, staring back, mouth agape. Speechless. But not for long. It was a whirlwind romance: they met in late July and were married October 10, 1952 in Nampa, Idaho. It was a marriage no one believed would last but it did for 65 years. They lived on Warrens parents’ homesteads in Roy Montana. Illa loved the ranch life and loved riding the horses.

Illa was involved in The Young Wives Club, Home Extension Club, and the school where she helped the kids. She was also involved with 4-H and was very much involved with the AG building at the Central Montana Fair. She was the hostess at the James Kipp recreational park on the Missouri River for many years. She also wrote the column Happenings in Roy for the Lewistown News Argus for many years. She was very instrumental in producing the Roy area history book Homestead Shacks over Buffalo Tracks: History of Northeastern Fergus County. Illa was proceeded in death by her parents, sister Elenore Davis, daughter Dawn Marie, husband Warren Willmore and grandson Dustin Willmore.

She is survived by her sons Ken (Deb) Willmore of Lewistown Montana, Jeff (Sue) Willmore of Roy Montana, Ralph (Shelly) Willmore of Roy Montana, several grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Memorial services for Illa will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Willmore Family Ranch, near Roy, Montana. Everyone is invited to stay for the Willmore annual BBQ which will start at 5:30 p.m. Please call 406-954-9010 or 406-464-2361 if directions are needed.

Cremation has taken place, and Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make memorial contributions to the Roy Endowment Fund, c/o Shelly Willmore, 2350 Birdwell Lane, Roy, Montana 59471. Condolences for the family can be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com