Michael Owen Williams, of Glendive, Mont., and owner of Montana Farrier Supply and W-Brand, passed away Aug. 17, 2022, with his wife by his side. He was 85.

Born March 28, 1937, to Owen M. Williams and Margaret (Cronin) Williams, Mike Williams was one of the last children to attend the one-room schoolhouse in the Loughborough outside of Glendive, Mont. After graduating high school, Williams went to work for the Forest Service where he led a string of pack mules through the mountains of Northern Idaho. During this time, he graduated from horseshoeing school at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

It was in Northern Idaho that he met his wife Ruth and moved to the Washington state to start their family. In 1972, Mike moved his family back to Montana. While still horseshoeing, Williams built Montana Farrier Supply from the ground up. In addition to reselling basic tools, Mike invented several original tools of the trade that are sold around the world. Williams loved horses, competing in many packing and shoeing competitions over the years.

A Mass was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Glendive, Mont., with burial to follow at Grandview Cemetery, Intake, Mont. A celebration of life is also planned in the Bozeman area for June 2023.