An affinity with water flowed through William Owen Lambson’s life, from his childhood in Lexington, Ky., to his death July 7, 2025, at his home near the edge of Flathead Lake.
He was born Oct. 13, 1962, in New Orleans to Theodora and Roger Lambson, the youngest of three children. His siblings and parents were serious, high achievers. “He taught us to play,” says his mom.
She recalls that by the time he was old enough to take swimming lessons, he headed for the diving board. For him, swimming was just a means to reach the side of the pool and dive in again.
He competed in diving and swimming in his early years, and diving and water polo throughout high school and at the University of Kentucky. While attending UK, he also discovered a second passion: business and the intricacies of financial management.
After working at the Bank of Missouri, he earned a master’s degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix and began a career in international business, working first for Cadence Design Systems as senior treasury manager, and then with Adobe, as the software giant’s director of global payments and treasury.
The family settled in San Jose, Calif., but his employment with Adobe gave them the opportunity to live in Amsterdam and Dublin, where they immersed themselves in European culture, history and, in Holland, Dutch family connections. They eventually settled in Lake Oswego, Ore., where he was employed for two years at Vesta Corporation as treasurer and director of payments.
He and Anne Cox married in 1996, and had two children: Ben, born in 1999, and Claire in 2003. They later divorced, and William moved to Polson in 2020, following nearly a decade of health challenges that eventually led to a diagnosis of epilepsy.
Although he stepped away from corporate finance, he continued to provide advice and support to young entrepreneurs and start-ups. He also began to reinvent himself, turning to such creative endeavors as building furniture and lamps, taking photographs and creating jewelry. He was a masterful chef and wine connoisseur, and his warm, generous personality made him the family’s favorite host.
It was in Polson, near family and the big lake, that he returned to his love of all things aquatic and found a new love with Shelley Sullivan. Together, they explored Montana and the world, from swimming in Lake Koocanusa to snorkeling in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and Honduras, or immersing themselves in the cityscapes of New York and Amsterdam. They always sought places, food and experiences that were off the beaten path.
They also found plenty of fun locally, dancing at KwaTaqNuk and the annual Cowboy Ball and boating on Flathead Lake.
For five years, William coached the Lake Monsters swim team at the Mission Valley Aquatic Center, where kids responded to his kind, supportive tutelage, and playful yet competitive spirit.
He also spread his passion for skateboarding – a sport he first embraced in the 1970s and later shared with son Ben. He worked with Jesse Vargas, local businesses and other organizations to expand the Polson Skatepark and organize the annual Skate Jam.
Collaborating with the Boys and Girls Club, he launched a project aimed at getting skateboards and gear into the hands of kids who couldn’t afford them. He recruited area art teachers, who encouraged students to paint skateboard decks as art projects, which they could either keep or donate. Local artists also pitched in, painting decks that were displayed locally and sold to raise money to purchase more boards.
William (also known as Coach Will to his swimmers, and Wim to childhood friends and cousins) was a vibrant soul – playful and lighthearted, calm and confident, curious and charming. He took his responsibilities seriously, yet still found time to enjoy life and master new skills.
He was also courageous – especially in confronting the challenges brought by epilepsy, restless leg syndrome and, in the last 10 months of his life, the devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He was gracious and generous, kind and loving to the very end of his life. Too ill to attend his daughter’s graduation from Seattle University in June, he was able to watch from afar as Claire accepted her diploma, thanks to his mom and her cell phone.
William leaves behind his children, Ben and Claire; wife Shelley and her children, Shay and Jasmine; his mother, Theodora, and her partner, Roger Norgaard; siblings Scott Lambson (Naviya) and Michelle Lambson (Art Soukkala); and nephews Perry and Lindey Lambson.
The family will gather for a small memorial this month and hopes to hold a celebration of William’s life this fall.
Donations honoring his dedication to youth may be made to Mission Valley Aquatic Center or Polson Skatepark.
