William B. Monti II

 Heaven’s angels welcomed a new guitarist Friday, March 4, 2022, when William B. Monti II died in the arms of his wife, Janet.

 Bill was born in Spokane, Wash., on April 21, 1943, to Bernard and Della (McDaniel) Monti. Two more sons joined the family. It was here his love of music began in the boys’ choir at St. Xavier Catholic Church. By the mid-1950s they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where a guitar became the first love of his life. It was an era when American Bandstand was a popular television show and the group Bill was with became local “celebrities” imitating what they saw on TV.  From that point forward, a guitar accompanied Bill everywhere he went.

 Bill was proud to join the U. S. Marine Corps during the early days of Vietnam — a time when the country did not share his patriotism. After his military service, Bill was in southern California where his music was able to flourish and grow. He was a studio musician for several groups in addition to working as a musician in nightclubs and bars, most of the time playing rock and roll or country music. It was through losing himself in music he found himself.

 While in southern California, Bill met the love of his life and married Janet Miller. After their children were born, they moved to a small rural town. Family became the focus of his life. Music a close second. He also developed a love of working with wood, enjoying what came from the skill of his hands. In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the family was able to explore, camp and fish. This outdoor life took Bill back to his childhood in Athol, Idaho, hiking up and down the surrounding mountains. He vowed one day to move his family back to his home — Idaho. His dream came true when the family moved to Emmett, Idaho. Here, Bill was able to enjoy all things important to him: family, music, fishing, mountains and wood working.

 In Bill’s later years, he was able to focus on the music he loved most — jazz. He would spend hours working on and learning more. This was especially true in the winter when it was too cold for him to fish or work in his shop.

Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janet; children Chrystina and Scott Hansen, Mark Monti and Veronica and Andy Knutson; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren; as well as his youngest brother, Hal, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

 A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Potter Funeral Chapel of Emmett.

 If you desire, consider making a donation to Shriners Children Hospital or the Emmett Valley Friendship Coalition in his memory.

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