It’s a bit unnerving to peer into two sets of such clear blue eyes. One set sports a few more wrinkles and laugh lines on the brows and at the corners, but intelligence and wit are evident in both. They are the gleaming eyes of the father-and-son team of Bill and Mike Bouchee. Both are SoBA grads and former Griz gridiron greats.
The elder Bouchee, born in Livingston, hardly ever set foot outside the town until becoming involved in high school sports. Bill thought that Missoula “was paradise compared to the cold, blowing winds of Livingston.” He received a scholarship to play offensive and defensive end for the Griz and was a starter for three years. With a huge grin, he notes that “the Griz managed to beat the Bobcats two of those three years.”
A chip off the ol’ block, the younger Bouchee was a football great at AA Hellgate High School in Missoula. He also excelled in the classroom, graduating near the top of his class. After listening to advice from family friends and his parents, he embarked on a full-ride football scholarship to UM and was an all-conference and All America linebacker for the national champion Griz in 1995 and in 1996. Mike also was exceptional in his finance studies at the SoBA and, after graduating, packed his bags – and high GPA and LSAT score – and headed to law school at Cal-Berkeley.
After graduating in ’63, Bill was determined to stay in Missoula. His college sweetheart, Phyllis (Lindgren), became his spouse when they decided to elope in paradise (Missoula). Broke, but with his degree in his pocket, Bill hit the pavement and connected with the owner of First National Bank of Missoula, where he stayed until it sold in the early 1990s. Bill briefly contemplated a career change, but instead signed on as president of First Security Bank in 1991. At that time, First Security was embroiled in numerous regulatory issues; the growth that First Security has experienced and the market share that it has captured under Bill’s leadership are legendary in western Montana.
Bill, who for years was the epitome of perfect health as he ran past the “M” in the mornings, injured his back last winter and had complications during surgery. He recently decided to retire from his position as president at First Security and focus on his vice chairman and CEO role, while Scott Burke – another Livingston native and SoBA alum – took over the presidential reins. Bill still clocks 5 or 6 hours daily at the bank and continues to give generously of his time, expertise, and finances. It’s no wonder that he’s known as Missoula’s “Most Beloved Businessman” and its “Most Generous Philanthropist.”
By the time that Mike graduated from law school in May 2000, he had worked a stint with Morgan Stanley in San Francisco; interned with the Securities and Exchange Commission; married his wife, Jessica, a 1992 graduate of Sentinel High School; and given his son, Alec, the benefit of an upbringing in the Bay area. Mike and Jessica felt the “tug” of Big Sky Country pulling at them and decided that it was time to move back to Missoula. Garlington, Lohn & Robinson anxiously scooped up Mike; he spent the past year earning his LLM (master’s in tax) degree from New York University. His son, now 10, is playing sports and enjoying the Montana outdoors, just as his dad and grandpa did at that age.
Papa Bouchee’s eyes beam with pride at the mention of Mike and Bill’s oldest son, Bob, also a UM grad and a sergeant with the Missoula Police Department. Bill remembers when a young 10-year-old Mike saw the marquis of a movie theatre advertising the movie, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” Mike drew his dad’s attention to the marquis and said, “Look, dad, they misspelled warehouse.” At that moment, Bill recalls, “I knew what a bright kid Mike was.”
Mike, in turn, is very proud of his parents. “Dad was a great role model for balancing life, family, and a career. I want to follow in his footsteps and keep building on traditions. Mom and Dad taught us about family – they never missed one of our school activities – and they taught us about building up a career and getting involved with the community.”
Bill just smiles broadly as he listens. “When you live in a great community that treats you well, you need to give back all you can. I’ve always been grateful to this town for allowing me to make a living and make lots of friends and for giving my family and me a wonderful life.”
At the mention of Phyllis, twinkles fill both sets of bright blue eyes. When asked which parent he most feared growing up, Mike said, “Mom was the disciplinarian most of the time, but I would worry when she would say, ‘Just wait till your father gets home!’”
Congratulations to the “Bouchee Boys” – and to Phyllis and Bob – for all that they’ve accomplished, and a heartfelt “thank you” from the SoBA for all that the Bouchees have done and do for us! We’re proud of you!