Cowboy Hall Of Fame Inductions Announced
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center announces their 15th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees are honored for their notable contributions to the history and culture of Montana.
“The hall of fame exists to honor those who have made an impact in their part of the state and represent Montana’s authentic heritage for future generations,” said DuWayne Wilson, MCHF & WHC president. “Our volunteer trustees around Montana vote on nominations that come from the district in which they reside. This process gives the local communities a strong voice in who will represent them in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame.”
The MCHF & WHC board of directors has designated 12 trustee districts across the state from which up to 20 trustees may be appointed. Nomination criteria established by the board for the Class of 2023 inductions allowed the election of one Living Inductee and one Legacy Inductee from each of the 12 districts.
District 1 — Daniels, Phillips, Roosevelt, Sheridan and Valley counties Living: Jack & Andrea Billingsley of Glasgow; Legacy: John & Catherine Etchart of Tampico.
District 2 — Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Richland and Wibaux counties Living: Glenda S. (Childers) Reynolds of Brusett; Legacy: Alfred Henry “Al” Johnson, Jordan District 3 — Carter, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Rosebud and Treasure counties Living: Robert J. “Jim” Wilson of Alzada; Legacy: Laton Alton “L.A.” Huffman of Miles City District 4 — Blaine, Chouteau, Hill and Liberty counties Living: Richard Dallas “Dick” Granell of Havre; Legacy: Alfonse Valentine & Marie Theresa (Amssoms) Vercruyssen of Chinook District 5 — Cascade, Glacier, Pondera, Teton and Toole counties Living: Alan Dennis “Skip” Joseph of Great Falls; Legacy: Charles Edward “Charlie” Morris of Great Falls District 6 — Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum and Wheatland counties Living: Wes & Tammy Schenk of Harlowton; Legacy: Irwin Conrad Allen of Ryegate District 7 — Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass and Yellowstone counties Living: Elãnna Skorupa aka: Quackgrass Sally of Bridger; Legacy: Robert Stuart Brownlee of Big Timber District 8 — Broadwater, Jefferson and Lewis and Clark Counties Living: Charles Gilbert “Chuck” Plymale of Townsend; Legacy: Wesley Robert “Wes” Synness of Helena District 9 — Gallatin, Meagher and Park counties Living: Warren Howard Johnson of Gardiner; Legacy: Donald W. “Donnie” Johnston, White Sulphur Springs District 10 — Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties Living: Thomas Michael “Tom” Harmon of Kila; Legacy: Hollister “Pat” McVay of Kalispell District 11 — Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli counties Living: Robert M. “Dr. Bob” Brown of Missoula; Legacy: William M. “Bill” Holt of Lolo District 12 — Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Silver Bow, Granite, Madison and Powell counties Living: Daniel Calvin “Dan” Hill of Dillon; Legacy: Esther Marie (Johnson) McDonald of Philipsburg.
The MCHF & WHC plans to honor these inductees during the MCHF Annual Induction Ceremony & Western Heritage Gathering on Feb. 11, in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn.
