Walter Julian Conell of Helena died in the comfort of his home with his family beside him on March 7, 2022, at the age of 86.Walt was born on September 21, 1935, in Springfield, MO, to Walter and Elva Conell. He attended grade schools in both Missouri and Butte, MT. He went to high school in San Antonio, TX, before returning to Montana.Walt had a very tough young life. He went to work doing odd jobs which included setting bowling pins to earn money so he and his younger sister and brother could eat. Later, he worked in the Butte mines, and for extra money, he ran the projector at the drive-in theatre. In 1954, he joined the Army National Guard, making that his career for over 40 years. He retired with a rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.Walt married his soulmate, Montana Mae Dix, on August 29, 1954. One year later they welcomed a son, Michael, and three years later, a daughter, Peggy. They lived in Butte until Walt was transferred to the National Guard Headquarters in Helena in 1974.Walt belonged to the National Guardsman Shooting Team where he competed in rifle matches including national competitions in Camp Perry, OH.He loved to read and never stopped learning. He earned his Associates Degree from Western Montana College in Dillon, and at about the same time, he worked at and achieved his Private Pilot License.Walt was an avid outdoorsman. He taught his children how to hunt and fish and took them camping every summer. He was a Hunter Safety instructor for 10 years. Walt enjoyed spending time on Canyon Ferry Lake, and he bought a pontoon boat so he could share the fun with friends and family.He very much enjoyed games of chance like bingo, lotto, and poker, but he genuinely loved cribbage. It was a way to teach his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren how to add. He joined the American Cribbage Congress and earned his Master Cribbage Player and later a Master Gold status. He was always very serious about games of chance and cards. He never sat at a game table with more than five people, and he never sacrificed so anyone could win, you had to earn it, although when playing cribbage with the inexperienced, he would always help you count your cards.Walt is survived by his wife of 67 years, Montana; his daughter, Peggy (Rick) Rice of Kevin; grandsons, Michael B. Conell of Butte and Eric (Doni Presnell) Rice of Cut Bank; granddaughters, Lisa (Nick) Visokey of Mesa, AZ; Marcia (Dale) Manthey of Kevin; Michelle (Mike) Cheuvront of Colorado Springs, CO; great-grandchildren, Michael C. Conell; Morgan, Wyatt, Virgil, and Jasper Manthey; Erica and Kohelbi Rice; Addison, Lily, and Juliette Cheuvront; sister-in-law Beverly Cummins; and many nieces and nephews.Walt was preceded in death by his son Michael A. Conell, grandson Sean Conell, granddaughter Sara Rice, sister and brother-in-law Mary and R.M. "Bud" Johnson, and brother-in-law C.L. "Bud" Cummins. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the charity of your choice. Graveside service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Fort Harrison in Helena on April 1, 2022.