Lyle Hamilton
Funeral services for Lyle Hamilton, 72, of Newcastle, were Feb. 8, 1997, at first United Methodist Church with Dr. Robert Firebaugh officiating. Burial followed at Newcastle Greenwood Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites by Newcastle Lodge #13, A.F.&A.M. Memorials are to First United Methodist church and to Skull Creek Community Hall. Memorial contributions may be sent in care of Annabelle Hamilton, P.O. box 340, Osage, Wyo. 82723.
He died Feb. 5, 1997, at Weston County Memorial Hospital.
He was born Feb. 17, 1924, at Spearfish, S.D., to Chester and Myra (Livingston) Hamilton. In July 1925, he and his parents moved to Bowman, N.D. The family moved to a ranch on Spring Creek, south of Bowman, in the spring of 1926, and two years later, to a place on North Grand River that had been purchased from his grandfather. He graduated from the eighth grade from the Lone Tree School, which was located about one and one half miles from the country home. That same spring, the family moved to the Dakota Tin & Gold, a mine near Tinton, S.D. He and his brother Merle spent the summer herding six milk cows on the national forest, and started high school that fall in Tinton. At age 13, alone he drove a herd of horses from Tinton to his grandparents' ranch at Sundance. A famous neighbor, Potato Creek Johnny, kept the family entertained with many wild stories about Deadwood. In the spring of 1938, the family moved once more to a ranch on Skull Creek in Weston County. He continued his high school education at Newcastle, graduating in 1941. During his high school years at Newcastle, he lived in a sheep wagon. In November of 1942 he joined the U.S. Navy and was discharged in March 1946. As a young lad of 18, he was more than a little homesick when his troop train went through his home town without stopping. After returning home from his military service, he went into partnership with his father in the ranching business. He purchased a ranch of his own from Joe Hollingsworth and continued to live at home until the fall of 1953. On Oct. 18, 1953, he and Annabelle Lincoln were married at Upton in the church her father helped build. He was very family-oriented, yet willingly served his community and Weston county in many capacities. He was a 4-H leader for 20 years while his sons were in school. He served on the Weston County Co-op board, Weston County Memorial Board of Trustees, and had served as President of the Weston County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the First United Methodist church, and the Inyan Kara Shrine Club. He was a 50 year member of Newcastle Lodge #13, A.F.&A.M., and past patron of Eastern Star #32 in Upton. He was an avid horseman and broke many horses to ride during his lifetime.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Bonnie Jean Hamilton.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years; sons Thomas Alden Hamilton of Lance Creek and Monte Lee Hamilton of Osage; brother Merle Hamilton of Hyatteville; sisters Virginia Lissolo of Newcastle and Maxine Singletary of Seattle, Wash.; and grandchildren Heather, Kyle, Holly, Tucker and Brittany.