Clyde Lee Hawks

Clyde Lee Hawks left this life on Jan. 28, 2008. He was born May 23, 1918, in Billings to homesteaders Mitchell Lee and Fern Heloise Engle Hawks. Clyde, their only son, spent his first 12 years in the Shepherd area, before moving to Big Horn County south of St. Xavier.

He received early promotion in his early school years, so he entered Hardin High School at an early age. Graduating at the age of 16, he began farming and ranching in partnership with his father, removing himself when possible to attend Montana State College in Bozeman. He eventually acquired two years of credit toward agriculturally-related course work.

Clyde married Dolly Paulson on Aug. 10, 1940, in Lewistown, after which they farmed and ranched for 35 years south of St. Xavier. He was known to be very progressive in his field, using many of the latest research ideas surfacing from MSC.

In his late twenties, Clyde, then serving on the regional REA Board, was encouraged by members to run for the Legislature. He filed, was elected and served Big Horn County in the Montana State House of Representatives for 16 years, finally as Speaker of the House. His time in the Legislature was focused primarily on the appropriation process and reorganization of state institutions, including the purchase of the Montana State Prison ranch. Additionally, in these productive years, he became a 3rd Rite Mason.

Clyde and Dolly sought every advantage for the four sons and two daughters they raised based in St. Xavier. They built this foundation on a strong work ethic, exposure to the outside world and love. Semi-retirement brought Dolly and Clyde to Blue Creek outside of Billings and finally Billings. Late in life and many years after Dolly's passing, Clyde married Joy Myhre, who has been a blessing to him and his family.

Clyde was a dynamic individual, who enjoyed making things happen. He was well liked and respected by those with whom he came in contact. He was a force!

His wife Dolly, son Melvin L, grandson Chase and sister Clarice Frances O'Neil preceded Clyde in death.

Survivors include his wife, Joy; his children, Robert Lee (Jane) Hawks of Bozeman, Howard Clyde (Carol Quinlan) Hawks of Blue Creek, Linda Kay (Glen Larsen) Warren of Billings, Frances Irene (John) Bracken of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Paul Owen (Elli) Hawks of Melville; a sister, Alice Irene Carper of Lander, Wyo.; 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Hardin Fairview Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions made be made to the Chase Hawks Memorial Association, PO Box 31333, Billings, MT 59107; or to Big Sky Hospice, PO Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107.