Dr. James “Bill” W. Montague

Dr. James “Bill” W. Montague, 93, of Blossburg, died on August 22, 2025.

Bill was born on Aug. 8, 1932, in Hughesville, to James B. Montague and Helen Smith Montague.

He graduated with the class of 1950 from Hughesville High School and attended Asbury Bible College in Wilmore, Ky., where he met his future wife, the late Marjorie Johnson.

After earning his medical degree at Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia, he served in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in Crete, Greece, for two years before moving back to the states and completing his last two years of service in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

In the summer of 1963, he and his family moved to Blossburg, where he began his medical practice. Over the years, he supported the local community and championed efforts to keep the Blossburg General Hospital open.

Dr. Montague was instrumental in the establishment of the North Penn Health Center, which opened in 1973. This allowed quality health care to remain in Tioga County upon the closure of the Blossburg State Hospital in 1972.

Dr. Montague introduced the use of Nurse Practitioners and Physician’s Assistants to Tioga County, and served as president of the Tioga County Medical Society. After being one of the first doctors to be certified in geriatric medicine, he went on to serve at both Leader and Rose View Nursing Homes in Williamsport.

After retirement, he had time to enjoy his passion for travel, golf, gardening, singing in the Wellsboro men’s choir, and exploring the backroads of rural PA.

He was a member of Kiwanis and was the Tioga County Coordinator for the PA Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation.

Bill and MaryEtta enjoyed wintering in Florida during the last several years.

In life, he followed a dream of helping people through his medical practice. In death, he follows that same dream by donating his body for medical research.

Bill is survived by his significant other, MaryEtta Manikowski; son Ed (Jane) Montague; daughters, Erin (Dale) Green, Lisa (Ron) Anderson, and Sue (Craig) Montague; grandson, Dalton Anderson; niece, Becky Pouliot; and grandnephew, Jason Dailey.

At this time, no service has been scheduled. His family will share plans for a celebration of life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider contributing to Hospice (susquehannahealthfoundation.org), Blossburg V.I.B.E. (blossburgvibe.org) or a charity of your choice.