His memorial service is 10 a.m. Saturday at Central Assembly of God Church in Great Falls, with burial of ashes in Big Willow Cemetery, east of Belt. Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Ra-chelle Erickson of Great Falls; his 7-month-old son, Spencer William Erickson of the family home; his parents, Lynn and Shirley Erickson of Great Falls and Ron and Kathy Wachholtz of Arlington, Wash.; and grandparents, Viana Erickson of Great Falls and Val Adams of Belt.

Paul was born Jan. 4, 1974, in Great Falls, and was raised in the Belt area, where he attended ele-mentary school and high school.

At age 16 he began his career as an emergency medical provider for Belt Valley Fire Department. He worked for a time as a general ranch laborer for the Bowman and Willow Creek ranches in the Belt vicinity, and as a member of the Gliko aerial spray crew.

Paul received his EMT-Basic from Belt Valley Volunteer Fire Department, and worked as an EMT-Basic for Blue Star and Big Sky Paramedics ambulance services. He completed his EMT-Intermediate with MSU College in Great Falls, and his EMT-Paramedic while working at Great Falls Emergency Services. He was employed for a time as a paramedic for Montana Community Ambulance, as well as Great Falls Emer-gency Services.

He became a member of Great Falls Fire and Rescue as a fire-fighter/paramedic in September 2000. Paul was also a member of the Great Falls Police Department S.W.A.T. Team as a paramedic and worked as an emergency room and Mercy Flight Paramedic for Benefis Healthcare. Paul also enjoyed working with his father part time as a union carpenter hanging suspended ceilings.

He and Rachelle Hames were married on Feb. 24, 2005, in a helicopter over Las Vegas.

Paul had many special talents and interests. He loved his Harley, camping, four-wheeling, boats, guns, trains, barbecuing, home improvement, working in his yard, S.W.A.T., the fire department, E.M.S., flying, collecting antique fire memorabilia and spending time with his wife and son. Paul spent countless hours volunteering for the Belt Valley Fire Department ambulance service with his friends, Jeremy Virts and Justin Stokes.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Gust E. Erickson and William "Willy" Adams.

Paul was totally devoted to his wife, Rachelle, and his young son Spencer. The family asks that you include them in your thoughts and especially your prayers.

Condolences may be sent online to croxfords@qwest.net and/or greatfall-stribune.com/obituaries