Lloyd C. “Sonny” Lockrem, Jr., 83, died Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana, with family and friends at his side.

A service will be held at a later date.

Sonny was born Nov. 10, 1934, at Deaconess Hospital in Billings. The son of Lloyd and Amy (Frye) Lockrem, he lived his entire life in Montana. He and his wife Rose (Lawrence) were married for 59 years. 

Sonny graduated from Billings Senior High School in the spring of 1952. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman before entering the Marine Corps, where he served during the Korean War until 1956. After returning home he attended Eastern Montana College (MSU-Billings) where he played basketball for the Yellowjackets. He then returned to Montana State University to study civil engineering.

After college Sonny began working for Lockrem Construction, a general contracting company started by his father. He remained with Lockrem Construction until 1985 where he served as president and owner. He sponsored the Lockrem Construction slow pitch softball team for six years. The team members were 1980 graduates from Billings West High School. 

He enjoyed a career in public office, beginning in 1968 as president of the Yellowstone County Republican Club. From 1969 until 1976, he served in the Montana House of Representatives and the Montana State Senate from 1977-81.

Sonny retired in 2007 after nearly 20 years as the plan administrator for the Montana Contractors’ Association Healthcare and Pension Plan.

 One of Sonny’s greatest joys were his four grandchildren, Garrett Lockrem (24), Jordan Lockrem (19), Anna Lockrem (15) and Ryan Lockrem (11). He was an active golfer, winning a senior club championship at Yegan Golf Club. He also had been a long-time member of the Hilands Golf Club, where he and his oldest son Russell captured a Hilands Fling championship.

Sonny is survived by his wife Rose; oldest son Russell and daughter-in-law Lynda (McDonald) Lockrem;  his youngest son Michael of Brookings, his children Anna and Ryan and their mother Kimberly (Miller) Lockrem; a sister, Patricia Fiala, and a brother Larry (Marilyn) Lockrem and many nieces and nephews. 

Sonny was an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for more than 60 years, serving on the vestry and the memorial foundation board.