Wayne Joseph Hiett

Wayne J. Hiett, 98, entered his heavenly home on January 21, 2026. He was one of the last members of the Greatest Generation.

Wayne was born on October 22, 1927, in Missoula, Montana, to Earl and Lola (Brownell) Hiett, the youngest of four children. He attended Hawthorne Grade School and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1945.

Wayne deeply loved being raised in Missoula and held many fond memories of the Orchard Homes Country Life Club. Founded in 1910 by his parents and grandparents, the Club served as a gathering place for a close-knit community. Neighbors would write original stories and perform them as plays, many of which later appeared in the local newspaper as short stories—reflecting the strong sense of creativity and community that shaped Wayne’s upbringing.

An active youth, Wayne participated in 4-H and developed a lifelong love of animals and the outdoors. He attended Montana State University before entering the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving aboard LST-743 and the USS Indiana (BB 58). Following the war, he returned to Montana and attended the University of Montana until being called to duty in 1950 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 32nd Combat Battalion, during the Korean War.

Wayne met Cora Higdem in Montana, and it was love at first sight. Their early romance was interrupted when Wayne was deployed to Korea. After completing his service, Wayne followed Cora to Washington, D.C., where they were married in 1952. Shortly thereafter, they returned to Montana, where Wayne re-enrolled at the University of Montana and the couple began raising their family.

Family was central to Wayne’s life. He loved taking his children and later his grand children on countless outdoor adventures—teaching them to hunt and fish, picking huckleberries, gathering firewood, panning for sapphires, carving Cub Scout Pinewood Derby cars, and shooting skeet. His weekends were filled with shared experiences that created lasting family memories.

Wayne’s outgoing personality and strong work ethic led him to a successful career in sales, primarily within the lumber and construction industries. He was the owner of Missoula Forest Products. Along with two friends, he helped establish the Lumberman’s Association to provide scholarships for children of parents working in the industry. After retiring, he sold real estate part-time, where his coworkers quickly became fast friends. True to his personality, Wayne especially loved holding open houses.

Wayne stepped away from real estate to care for his wife Cora, after she developed dementia. Cora passed away on July 24, 2021. During the years of her illness, Wayne faithfully cared for Cora with unwavering devotion. He was a phenomenal caregiver, tending to Cora’s daily needs with patience, tenderness and love. Wayne remained Cora’s steadfast companion to the very end. They were married for 69 years. God graciously granted their shared desire to remain in their home where Wayne continued to live for a total of 58 years until his passing.

In the final 4+ years of Wayne’s life, Tami Gurtler was his devoted caregiver and, most importantly, his cherished friend. Together, they lovingly cared for their beloved dog, Molly. Their bond was evident in everyday moments—especially their good-natured rivalry over who would get to mow the yard on the riding lawn mower, a task each was determined to claim.

Wayne remained physically active and sharp-minded up until the day he passed. This past Memorial Day, he spoke at the veterans’ service as a WWII veteran and was presented with a folded American flag. Wayne passed a driving exam at age 96. Though he eventually gave up driving, he always appreciated someone taking him to church on Sundays. Wayne was at Costco just two days before he passed. That same day, he and Tami hand-delivered a thank you card and cookies to the Veterans Cemetery to express his gratitude for how beautifully the grounds were maintained.

Wayne is survived by his children: Kathryn (Steve Edwards), Susan Markey, Wayne (Julie), Joe (Sonia), and Nancy (John Clark); eight grandchildren: Jared Markey; Vince, Kyle, and Dominic Petrilli; Ethan Hiett; Katie Hiett Madsen; Levi and Bethany Bloomer; and one great-grandchild, Payson Markey.

Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved Marine grandson, Corporal Joey Hiett who passed on Jan. 9, 2023 and several years prior by his parents and siblings: Earl Hiett, Bill Hiett, and Elizabeth (Hiett) Raymond.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a veterans’ organization of choice.

Service: Thursday, January 29, at 11:00 a.m. at Garden City Funeral Home, with lunch to follow. Graveside service: 2:30 p.m. at the Western Montana Veterans Cemetery.