Burwin C. Hayes died Thursday, June 21 at the age of 95. Burwin was born on November 25, 1916 in Hoyt, MT, the son of Roy and Harriet Hayes.
Burwin was raised on a farm in the Miles City area attending rural public schools. After graduating from Custer County High School in 1936, he was employed by the public works program as an ironworker on the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington. In March of 1941, Burwin enlisted in the United States Army where he served in World War II as part of the engineer force in England and France. Following his honorable discharge as a Senior Warrant Officer in December of 1945, he returned to the Miles City area and married Margaret Beslanowitch on July 27, 1946. He began his career as a railway post office clerk in 1946 where he sorted mail on the train from Billings to Sweetgrass (1956-1957) and later Helena to Miles City (1957-1967). When the Post Office cancelled all mail by rail contracts in September of 1967 moving all mail by air and trucks, Burwin became a postal clerk and later supervisor for the Helena Post office before retiring in 1977.
Burwin enjoyed his “special projects” in the garage and a good polka with his wife. He took pride in helping his kids and friends remodel homes, teaching his children and granddaughters how to enjoy the outdoors including numerous moderately successful fishing trips and hunting trips with the boys. He was known for taking his family on Sunday drives, which occasionally involved ice cream. He could also entertain you for hours with stories of herding sheep in Eastern Montana. He had a passion for life, he lived it well and lived it large.
Burwin leaves his wife of 66 years, Margaret Hayes, and his family which includes his daughter Sandy Casey and husband Ron of Helena; son Lee Hayes currently living in China; son Bruce Hayes and wife Trish of Helena; two granddaughters Kelly (Casey) and husband Dennis Dilbeck of Oregon City, Kinsey Casey currently living in Washington DC; and great granddaughter Alexis Dilbeck.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A reception will be held at the Elk’s Lodge #193, 330 Lola St. following graveside services. Memorials in Burwin’s name may be sent to the Elk’s Lodge #193, 330 Lola St., Helena, MT 59601. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Burwin, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Terri Culliton says
Aunt Margaret, Bruce, Sandy and Lee,
We were saddened to hear from Bruce that Uncle Burwin passed. We are praying for you and wishing you peace at this time of deep and personal saddness.
Love Terri and Tim
Carol Eckberg Swanson says
Dear Bruce,
I am sorry to read of the passing of your father. I remember what a wonderful card player he was and how nice your father and mother were to me. I will remember him fondly.
Carol
Patricia Ford says
Aunt Margaret, Sandy, Bruce, and Lee
Uncle Burwin was truly a wonderful, caring man. I loved and respected him so much. I looked for a man who could live up to the high standards Uncle Burwin set (strong love for his family, taking care of family and those in need, compassion for all things, humor and doing what was right). He was the best, one of the good guys. I loved him dearly and have happy memories of him and Aunt Margaret. They both had the largest impact in my life (I saw the family they created and loved, knew it was possible, and strived to obtain). He will be missed, but his lessons will be remembered.
Lesly and Michael Blend says
Dear Ones,
We send you our sincere condolences and prayers across the miles. “Uncle” Burwin will be deeply missed. We have so many memories of earlier days – picnics, visits, reunions, fishing and hunting trips and all the other fun times.
We’ll be in Helena soon to personally give you hugs and perhaps cry a little.
He lived a great life with those he loved and in the place he most dearly wanted to be – Montana.
His spirit will forever be with our Dad roaming the hills and forests and searching for that perfect hunting valley.
Lesly and MIke
Jeff Pedersen says
Sandy, Ron & Family,
We were sorry to learn that your Dad passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Jeff and Diane Pedersen
Kristy and Josh Klein