Carla Will

Carla Sue (Coffey) Will, 75, died Sept. 24, 2022, in Billings.

She was born Feb. 11, 1947, in Scobey to Berniece Nadine (Norman) Coffey and Ernest (Chic) Somers. She was later adopted by Mel Coffey when Berniece remarried in August 1961.

She attended and graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1965. She then attended Carroll College in Helena for a bachelor's in elementary education and finished her degree at Montana State University in Bozeman in 1969.

She started her teaching career at Crow Agency, where she met her husband Arden Ray Will (the night janitor at the time for the elementary school). They later married July 3, 1976, in Wolf Point. Together, they resided in the Indian Health Services Housing for six years where many friendships were formed.

On Feb. 24, 1978, their son, Jess Elliot Will, was born and family life began. In July 1982, they found their perfect forever home in Hardin. There, they also lived with her mother, Berniece. The fall of 1986, she continued her teaching career in Hardin as a third-grade teacher, where she had 20 years of service.

On March 27, 1988, a surprise birth of Alex Jordan Will added to the family. Together, she and Arden built a wonderful and full life in Hardin. They were regarded as a home full of love, shelter and food for anyone in the community. She always had a sharing and caring heart.

She loved many things, such as playing the piano, reading a good book and having a conversation with an old friend, but nothing brought her more joy than her grandchildren.

She is survived by her sons, Jess Elliot Will of Grand Forks, N.D., and Alex Jordan Will of East Helena; two grandchildren; half-brother, Terry Vincent of Barra Mansa, Brazil.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arden Ray Will.

Her wish was to be cremated and placed in the Yellowstone National Veterans Cemetery in Laurel with her husband, which will be honored privately. A celebration of life was held Sunday, Oct. 16, at the First Congregational Church in Hardin.