Earl Joseph "Joe" Anderson, Billings, MT, formerly of Rock Island, passed away unexpectedly at his home on March 25, 2007. A memorial gathering will be held from 2-5 PM on Saturday, April 7, 2007 at Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, where the East Moline American Legion Post 227 will have a service at 4PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice. Joe was born December 19, 1946 in Galesburg, IL, the son of Earl and Ruth (Caulkins) Anderson. He joined the Navy in 1965 serving in the Philippines and honorably discharged in 1969. He married Rita Rice in April of 1977. They later divorced. He began employment with Lee Enterprises Inc. in 1973 with the Quad City Times. He moved to Billings in May of 1994 to work at the Billings Gazette. He was a member of the American Legion Post #4, and a member of the High Plains Renegades Dance Group where he met his dance partner and companion of the past seven years, Nancy. Dancing became a great passion to him along with his annual fishing trip to North Dakota with his friends. He is survived by Nancy McGraw, Billings, sisters Jan Stineman and her fiancé Gary Marquette, Milan, Jane Symons and her husband Scott, Rock Island, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Babette Anderson, Wisconsin, daughter Paige Rice, New Orleans, son and daughter-in-law Troy and Deanne Rice, Scottsdale, AZ, nephews and nieces; Andy, Tabatha, Nicci, Brad, Alex, Justin, Jimmy and Rachel, and many family and friends from all over. He was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles and a very close friend Don.