Dateline-Big Sandy William Ben Oliver William Ben Oliver "Ben", 98, passed away Friday, December 30, 2011 at Northern Montana Care Center due to natural causes. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the Big Sandy United Methodist Church in Big Sandy with Pastor Ross Rettig officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the service at the church. His entombment will be held at 2 p.m at the Hillcrest Lawn Mausoleum in Great Falls, Montana. Memorials in Ben's name may be made to the Big Sandy United Methodist Church. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland and Bonine Funeral Home. Ben was born April 16, 1913 in Howard, Kansas to Mr. & Mrs. Walter S. Oliver. When he was a young boy he moved with his family to Montana where they settled in Big Sandy. His parents started Oliver's Self Service Grocery in Big Sandy. Ben was a graduate of Big Sandy High School and attended Great Falls Commercial College. He was associated with his father in Oliver's Self Service Grocery. He married Pearl McLaughlin in 1952, that same year his father passed away Ben and his wife Pearl took over the business. Together they operated the store until their retirement in 1975 when they sold. Ben was a member of the United Methodist Church and a life member of the Elks Lodge of Havre 1201. He loved fishing and gardening.. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pearl on December 28, 1987 and his brother Jack Oliver. Ben was survived by his nieces Judy Oliver Sinclair and LeRoy Wenz of Havre, Montana; Janis and Graeme Monteith of Clagary, Alberta , Canada and Bonnie and Dewey McDaniel of Great Falls, Montana. Grandnephews: Jason and Jaxson Sinclair of Grand Junction, Colorado and Grandnieces Jacelyn and Johna Monteith of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.