Albert Theodore Stillman

Albert Theodore Stillman (Al or “Slim”), 82, of McCall, Idaho, passed away on February 23, 2022.

At Al’s request, no services will be held until spring, at which time his immediate family will spread his ashes on land that he loved.  A family gathering and outdoor memorial celebration in Al’s honor will be held in the summer.

Al was born in Medford, Wisconsin on December 23, 1939.  His family had a dairy farm in Goodrich, Wisconsin and later a logging business in Pittsville, Wisconsin, before moving to the Riggins, Idaho, area in 1941, first Rattlesnake Creek and then Elk Creek.  Al graduated from high school in Riggins in 1957. 

Al was married to Darlene Harp in McCall, Idaho, in 1959.  They had two children, Theadore (Teddy) and a baby girl who died in infancy.  They were divorced in 1963.

Al was married to JoAnne MacKay in Island Park, Idaho, in 1967.  Al and JoAnne were happily married for 55 years until Al’s death.  They have two children, Julie and Brian, of Boise, Idaho, and Seattle, Washington.  

Al worked from childhood in his family’s logging business up Elk Creek and later spent one summer as a sheep herder for Mike Joyce.  He started his Forest Service career on the Boulder R.D in New Meadows in 1958. At age 19 in 1959 he became a smokejumper at the McCall jumper base.  He was drafted into the United States Army in 1964 and served as a Supply Sergeant at Fort Lewis.  He then worked as a smokejumper for one more season out of McCall.  Beginning in 1967 he worked as a Fire Control Officer (Fire Management Officer) for the United States Forest Service on the McCall and New Meadows Districts on the Payette N.F., and Dale, Ukiah, and Pomeroy Ranger Districts on the Umatilla N.F., retiring in December 1995.  After retirement from his Forest Service career, Al supported his wife JoAnne in her own Forest Service career and was the primary caregiver for his mother Mary during her declining years.  He also worked as a contractor for the Forest Service during fire season for several years.

Al was a hunter, fisherman, backpacker, inventor, and woodworker.  He hiked into countless remote lakes in Idaho, gathering information for the Forest Service about trail conditions and replacing dilapidated trail signs.  He also enjoyed poetry and was an avid reader who dreamed of homesteading, fur trapping, and being part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  In McCall in recent years, he became known for his letters to the editor of the local paper and his advocacy for wilderness areas, in addition to being dubbed “the ketchup guy” for keeping the local food bank well stocked in ketchup, a condiment that he had often missed out on as a child.  Al’s warmth, humor, kindness, and resourcefulness were remarkable.  He loved puns.  He was a wonderful father and teacher, and a loving husband.

Al is survived by his wife JoAnne, grown children Julie and Brian, daughter-in-law Becca Drury, brother and sister-in-law Ted and Gale Stillman of New Meadows, Idaho, sister Mary Lou Uptmor of Cottonwood, Idaho and many nieces and nephews.  Al was preceded in death by his son Theadore L. Stillman, father Theodore O. Stillman, sister Ruth Ann Stillman, mother Mary Stillman (originally of Athens, Wisconsin), brother Carl Stillman, sister Dorothy Mosman, and brother William Stillman.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Heartland Hunger & Resource Center of McCall, Idaho. Al’s family wishes to thank Dr. Hall and Richard McChrystal for excellent care.

If desired, online condolences may be left at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home.

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