Sometimes lessons learned early from Dad last into adulthood.

When offspring have children of their own or work with young people, those lessons may instruct another generation.

Here is what some Billings residents say about advice they received from their fathers.

The Hansers

• Son: Shel Hanser, 38, principal and boys basketball coach at Billings Central Catholic High. His wife is Julie, and his chidren are Olivia, 10; Melissa, 8; and Isaac, 5.

• Father: Ralph Hanser, owner of Hanser's Automotive & Wrecker.

• Advice: Keep the faith and work hard.

Shel Hanser doesn't remember going fishing with his father, but still cherishes childhood memories of riding along with his father in a wrecker when it was dispatched on vehicle accidents.

Shel, now the principal and boys basketball coach at Billings Central Catholic High, said that, among the enduring pieces of advice that his father, Ralph Hanser, gave his six sons were to keep their Catholic faith and work hard.

Through good times and bad, being Catholic was an important part of family life.

Shel and his brothers had to look no farther than their blue-collar father for lessons in hard work.

Ralph started Hanser's Automotive & Wrecking when he was 20 years old and has continued to operate it for 45 years.

If the Hanser boys needed any more instruction, they got it working at the family business as soon as they could push a broom.

The Beerses

• Son: Bobby Beers, 36, athletic director of Rocky Mountain College. He has a wife, Cindy, and two daughters, Megan, 4, and Emily, 1.

• Father: Bob Beers, works in personnel with the Houston Texans football team.

• Best advice: A handshake reflects a lot about a person's character so shake hands firmly and look the other person in the eye. A handshake also is the first impression another person has of you.

Every time Bobby Beers meets someone, he remembers his father's handshake advice.

Both father and son have been football coaches, and both have spent their careers in football.

When Bobby was in high school, his father coached football at the University of Montana in Missoula, where Bobby graduated from Hellgate High.

Bobby went on to teach, coach football and work in personnel for the Denver Broncos.

Bob has mentored his son in his career, but never dictated his next step.

Because they've been in the same business and share some of the same friends, they have a lot to talk about during their almost-daily phone calls.

Their relationship has gone beyond typical father-son roles.

"He's a good friend," Bobby said.

The Coppses

• Son: Jack Copps, 72, superintendent of School District 2. His wife is Penny, and they have five grown children, including Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock, and 11 grandchildren.

• Father: The late George Copps, Rapid City, S.D., physician.

• Advice: Listen.

Jack Copps has a hearing defect that most people don't know about.

His father, George Copps, told Jack as he was growing up, "It's OK to have a hearing defect. But it's never OK to have a listening defect."

Jack remembers that every time he talks with someone.

George Copps, the father of six children, was a good listener, too, but Jack didn't realize that when he was a teenager.

"I thought then that he was a little dictatorial," Jack said.

As Jack got older, he changed his mind, realizing just how wise his father was.

Over the years, Jack honed another bit of advice that he gives to his teachers: "Students may not remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel."

The Brookses

• Son: Kevin Brooks, 48, computer specialist with the Bureau of Land Management. He is a leader of Boy Scout Troop 27 in Billings and was director for five years of the local Cub Scout day camp for 350 boys.

He is the divorced father of two sons, Carson, 17, and Jeremy, 14.

• Father: William Brooks, a retired Army chief warrant officer fourth class who lives in Billings.

• Advice: Always tell the truth. Help others.

When Kevin was growing up, William always was there helping with his Scout troop, sports and school events.

At the time, Kevin didn't understand how much time and effort that took.

"Now I realize that and what it means to me," Kevin said. "I'm now trying to do that for my kids."

Volunteering with the Boy Scouts is a way Kevin can thank his father for the time that he spent on community work.

The Vissers

• Son: Casey Visser, 33, history teacher and drama coach at Lewis and Clark Middle School. He has a wife, Bridett, and two children, Rosalyn, 6, and Hayden, 3.

• Father: Carl Visser, CEO of District 7 Human Resources Development Council, a private nonprofit organization helping low-income families.

• Advice: A job should be more than just money. It should serve others. Family comes first. Education is important.

Casey Visser, a teacher at Lewis and Clark for 10 years, followed his father into a profession that helps others. He tries to pass on his father's words of wisdom to his students and his own children.

He's also an adviser to the student council, which takes on service projects, including organizing a team for HRDC's annual walk to raise awareness about poverty.

Casey's daughter also helps with her father's Saturday Live projects.

Casey, his sister and father also care for Casey's mother, Anna, who has had multiple sclerosis for 30 years. Caregivers help during the day, but the family cares for Anna the rest of the time at home.

Carl's father, who immigrated to Utah from Holland, didn't go to college. But Carl and his four siblings did, and all of Carl's children have, too.

Casey's sisters also are in education.

Kim Webber teaches preschool and now is studying for a teaching degree. Kristen Christnacht, who now lives out of state, taught at Elder Grove School.

The Davidsons

• Daughter: Tracy Davidson, 41, executive director of the Billings YWCA. She has three sisters, six nephews and one great-niece.

• Father: Rod Davidson, semi-retired and working at Davidson Design.

• Advice: No matter what job you have during the day, find ways to nourish your soul.

Rod Davidson taught his four daughters that, if they didn't have a job that enriched their inner life, they should find ways outside of work to supply that.

Life isn't about money or things, but how to appreciate a flower and other simple things, he told them.

Rod practices what he preached. He's an avid reader and "is like a kid in a candy store" when it comes to gardening, Tracy said.

Rod also taught lessons of hope that Tracy still follows. Just like seeds that grow into flowers, people who have gone through rough patches can improve their lives with the help of groups like the YWCA.

The YWCA helps victims of domestic violence, operates a preschool and oversees a supported-living program for more than 50 disabled adults.

Before taking her current job a year ago, Tracy taught preschool and worked with parents of Head Start students. When she was 18 years old, she worked in the Y's child-care center.

"I've come full circle," she said.

The Dennises

• Son: Brian Dennis, 34, chief professional officer Boys & Girls Clubs of Billings and Yellowstone County and a Laurel Fire Department volunteer. He has a wife, Tammy, and three children, Rylee, 6; Cody, 3; and Christopher, 9 months.

• Father: Keith Dennis, who farms at Rushville, Ohio.

• Advice: Work hard.

Keith Dennis didn't give a lot of verbal advice. But his hard work as a farmer spoke volumes. Watching his father, Brian Dennis learned to keep working until the job was done.

"He wasn't a quote guy," Brian said. "He was an example guy."

Other things Brian learned from his Dad that he's applied to his current job are to try new things, be innovative and always work to make things better.