DeWayne Lee Smith

DeWayne Lee Smith was born July 27, 1933, in Hamilton Montana. He was the youngest of 6 children of George W. and Hattie (Gilbert) Smith. Dewayne’s grandparents James and Buena Vista (Shelley) Smith had emigrated to the Bitterroot Valley in 1889, settling in the Dutch Hill area west of Woodside. DeWayne was raised on his parents’ farm in the white cottage near the entrance to the Daly Mansion. From an early age, he learned the benefits and rewards of hard work and commitment. In 1950, while still in high school, he joined the Army Reserves, completed his Basic Training at Fort Ord California, then returned to Hamilton in the fall for his senior year of High School.

In late spring of 1951, DeWayne asked Betty Sorenson, a senior classmate, for a date on their graduation day hayride. They dated through that summer and fall, Dewayne was discharged from the Army Reserves in December of 1951 and immediately joined the U.S. Navy. Betty and DeWayne were married in Hamilton on March 19, 1952, and began their young life together. During DeWayne’s Navy career

They celebrated the births of three daughters, Linda in Honolulu HI, Carol and Susan both in Oakland CA, had 10 different duty stations and transfers, and gathered a lifetime of experiences and adventures.

DeWayne’s most significant Navy deployments were Korea 1954, Key West during the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962, and USS Constellation Air Craft Carrier in Viet Nam 1964-1968 where he was the Post Master for the WESTPAC fleet, handling almost a million pieces of mail per month. His last duty station took him to San Francisco where he was Naval Postal Inspector for the Navy’s West Coast area and fleet. DeWayne received many commendations for his commitment and exemplary service throughout his 20-year career. He was proud of his service to our country and honored to be a Navy veteran.

After his retirement in April of 1971, DeWayne, Betty and the girls happily settled in Hamilton where all three daughters graduated from Hamilton High School. DeWayne embarked on his second career working for the next 17 years in the automotive industry, most notably for Hamilton Motor Supply and NAPA in Corvallis and Stevensville. DeWayne and Betty moved to Victor in 1980, and he became a member of the Victor Volunteer Fire Department for 19 years, serving as captain for several years. He also started a saw sharpening business and his services were in great demand throughout the area.

Eventually, DeWayne and Betty became snow birds where they spent 20 years creating more adventures and great friendships. They always said they had the best of both worlds: the Arizona desert in fall and winter and Western Montana in the spring and summer.

DeWayne and Betty were married for over 67 years when Betty passed away on July 20, 2019. He spent the next 6 1/2 years at Sapphire Lutheran Homes in Hamilton where he was surrounded by a wonderful staff, friends old and new, and his ever growing family. DeWayne’s favorite activities at Sapphire were the summer concerts and the wildlife viewing from his apartment deck. He stayed active in the community at Sapphire and with his family until October of 2025 when his health became precarious.

DeWayne left this earth, fittingly on Veterans Day November 11, 2025, just after 11pm carried to heaven under a spectacular display of the Northern Lights. As he had written in a tribute to Betty after her death, “What a beautiful trip that must have been!”

His daughters describe him: “Our noble leader, our great protector, our pest remover and troop inspector. He’s our castle fixer, bold crusader, treasurer, and educator.” He was proud of his daughters, loved them tremendously and gave that love unconditionally, extending that love to their spouses and his grandkids, great grands and great great grands. These younger generations benefitted from his attendance and involvement in their activities, sports events, scouting and performances. They say that he would always listen, told great stories, made the best ever English toffee and biscuits and gravy, gave them driving lessons, took them on camping adventures, played cards and cribbage, wore his red white and blue suspenders, taught them to be honest, to love fully with heart and soul, and always smelled like Old Spice.

DeWayne was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his parents, his siblings and great granddaughter McKenzie Jo Hope. He is survived by his daughters Linda Smith Rigby ID, Carol (Todd) Van Bramer Bellevue ID, and Susan (Lonnie) Wetzsteon Hamilton; grandchildren Tracie (Bryon) Hope, Cory (Jessica) Wetzsteon, Andy (Amanda) Wetzsteon and Hunter Van Bramer; great grands Abby, Austyn, Charlie and Sutton Wetzsteon, Hank, Saige and Evie Wetzsteon, Ashly (Teddy) Hitesman and Taylor (Tyler) Hope; great great grands Makiyah, Kaydan, Trinden, Brixleigh, Dreagan, Destiny, Rylee, Matik and Maze.

Our family would like to thank the caring, loving staff at Sapphire and The Remington. You welcomed DeWayne into your communities and provided the best of senior living; to Pastor Paul Anderson of Faith Lutheran Church, thank you for your spiritual guidance and friendship to DeWayne; and to Bitterroot Health Hospice and the incredible team for their care of DeWayne in his last weeks. You provided end-of-life care for him with dignity and respect and supported us in that journey. You all have our lasting thanks and gratitude.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Daly Leach and a service with military honors will take place in early spring 2026.

Memorials can be made to:

DeWayne Smith Memorial Bench Fund c/o Sapphire Lutheran Homes

501 North 10th Street Hamilton MT 59840 406-363-2800

Bitterroot Health Hospice 1200 Westwood Drive Hamilton MT 59840 406-363-2211