Wayne Robert Ballou, 84, passed away peacefully with family by his side at Monument Health Hospital in Spearfish, SD on July 16, 2026. Wayne was born to parents Francis and Barbara Ballou in Sturgis, SD on April 23, 1942. Wayne spent his first year in a sheep wagon by the Buttes near Devils Tower, WY. In 1943, his family bought some land from Ted Terhune and settled 13 miles north of Hulett near Seely, WY on Hwy 112. Wayne attended country school near the ranch from 1st – 8th grade and continued his schooling at Hulett High School where he graduated with the class of 1960.

Wayne then went on to get his pilot’s license and started flying right after high school. He owned several airplanes and was a great pilot. His favorite plane being the super cub in which he would take off and land on a grass runway on the hill above his house. In 1960 he worked for Dick Bush at the Hulett Treating Plant. Later he worked at Neiman’s Sawmill in Hulett running a loader and working in the mill.

Wayne met Leah Shepherd in Casper, Wy and they married on January 25, 1964. They began their venture in life living east of Hulett on Claude and Erma Heaton’s property. In 1968, he went on to start his own trucking business hauling livestock, lumber, sawdust, chips and bagged shavings, while also raising sheep and cattle. On May 29, 1968, their son Cody was born. On July 20, 1972, their daughter Kristy was born. In 1972, Wayne and Leah bought 25 acres of land from Dick Bush and added their house where it still stands today by Neiman’s Sawmill. Wayne started expanding his business and bought his first international cabover truck that is still being used at the ranch. In the mid 70’s, Wayne owned several trucks and started hauling bentonite in Colony, WY for Jim Schlosser. In 1976, Wayne bought a new truck to haul tree-length logs. Wayne spent many nights on the road hauling long distance loads.

In 2008, Wayne inherited a portion of the family ranch north of Hulett, and with his son Cody, began ranching and selling hay. In 2018 Cody married and his wife Suzie joined in to help run the equipment. In May 2009, Wayne purchased a bus from Crook County School District to fix up and convert it into a motor home. In 2010, Wayne and Cody took their first trip in the bus to Arizona, then in 2013 they went to Reno, NV and pulled a belly dump pup home. In 2025, Wayne and Cody took a second trip to Arizona to see new sights. Wayne loved to travel and visit family and friends.

Wayne is survived by his son Cody (Suzie) Hulett, WY, daughter Kristy (Corey) Craig, CO, granddaughters, Allison (Stephen) Fedora Belle Fourche, SD and Megan Rios (Gio) Thornton, CO, great grandchildren, Adylynn, Stephen and Evelynn Fedora, sister Kay (Bob) Wood Brighton, CO, brother Roger (Bonnie) Ballou Hulett, WY, nieces, nephews and cousins. Special additions to the family are Dustin, Melissa, Dagan and Noah Reuter and Tim and Chelsey Alderson.

Wayne is preceded in death by his wife Leah of 57 years on March 1, 2021, parents, Francis and Barbara, sister Pat (Irvin) Brimmer, sister-in-law Kay (Bob) Holmes and brother-in-law Clyde Robertson.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Hulett City Cemetery. All family and friends are considered as honorary pallbearers.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at https://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com/