Byron Wayne Hill

May 23rd, 1938 - October 8th, 2024

Memorial

Mementos

Byron Wayne Hill, 86 of Drummond Montana passed away on Tuesday October 8th at his residence of natural causes. He was born on May 23,1938 at Grassland Ranch in Drummond to Wayne Hill and Pearl Cannon. He is survived by his loving wife Dayle of 62 years, sister Marlene (Vern Person), brother Steve, son Mike (Deana), daughter Alicia Phelps (Joey), son Shawn and daughter Tasha Paulsen along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He graduated from Drummond High. In December 1962 married the love of his life, Dayle Halverson. He grew up working on the ranch, was a breeder of registered Hereford cattle and said he never rode a broke horse. He eventually left the ranch and worked at Cominco Mine near Garrison. After that, he worked at TriCon Lumber and Alt Lumber before retiring. He enjoyed doing yard work, gardening and wood working, panning for sapphires and gold, but his passion was fishing the lakes and streams with family and friends no matter what time of year. He cared about his family, friends and neighbors and was always there to help, day or night. Graveside services will be held at Valley Cemetery Saturday October 26th at 1PM.

Tributes

Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Byron’s life with a heartfelt message.

Charles Hill

Byron was an older cousin to me. I knew him as a young teenager. The thing I remember most about Byron that he was one heck of a fisherman in Montana streams. Hee would know the right spots to go to and how to catch them. The end of a certain era with Byron’s passing. Rest easy Byron! !!!

Published October 18th, 2024

Craig Lacey

During my early days at the ranch, Byron was one of the most influential people in my life! With his white t-shirt, wraparound sunglasses and Yamaha motorcycle, he was quite intimidating to a 10-year-old cousin! Over the years, though, he taught me how to work with precision and exactness. He knew how to get things done efficiently, without wasting time or extra effort. He understood how to flood-irrigate the Grassland Ranch, and he was the best swather operator I ever knew. His understanding of Hereford cattle was phenomenal- he picked out my first heifer, and she won Grand Champion at the Tri-County Fair the first time she was shown! Byron also grieved with me when he found her dead in a ditch several years later. Byron never minced words, and would not suffer fools. He never hesitated to chew me up one side and down the other if I ever left a gate open, yet would take the time to teach me skills that I could take with me to use throughout my life. After showing me how he wanted the grain ground in the roller mill, he trusted me to continue doing it on my own. When I was in high school, Byron even trusted me with his beloved Honda CL450 motorcycle, when I offered to tune it up for him over an extended period of time! Doing so provided me with the confidence to take on difficult tasks without fear or hesitation. I respected Byron as our herdsman and my foreman, and felt a tremendous sense of loss when he left the ranch to pursue a different career. In his simple and humble way, Byron Hill had a tremendous influence on me and made me who I am today! My sincere condolences to Dayle and the rest of the family. Craig

Published October 18th, 2024