Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Inductees
PRESS RELEASE - 10/08/25
Media Contacts: Christy Stensland, Executive Director, (406) 653-3800, Christy@montanacowboyfame.org
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF & WHC) announces their 18th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees are honored for their notable contributions to the history and culture of Montana.
“The Hall of Fame exists to honor those who have made an impact in their part of the state and represent Montana’s authentic Western heritage for future generations,” said DuWayne Wilson, MCHF & WHC president. “Our volunteer trustees across Montana vote on nominations that come from the district in which they reside. This process gives the local communities a strong voice in who will represent them in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame.”
The MCHF & WHC board of directors has designated 12 trustee districts across the state from which up to 20 trustees may be appointed. Nomination criteria established by the board for the Class of 2026 inductions allowed for the election of one Living Inductee and one Legacy Inductee from each of the 12 districts.
District 1 (Daniels, Phillips, Roosevelt, Sheridan, & Valley Counties): Living: Betty Lorraine (Blair) Steele of Malta; Legacy: William C. “Billy” Knorr of Wolf Point.
District 2 (Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Richland, & Wibaux Counties): Living: Judd Twitchell of Jordan; Legacy: Jordan Matched Bronc Ride of Jordan.
District 3 (Carter, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Rosebud, & Treasure Counties): Living: Thomas Ray “Tom” Larsen of Alzada; Legacy: George Albert Pitman of Lame Deer.
District 4 (Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, & Liberty Counties): Living: Ervin George Watson of Box Elder; Legacy: Edmond C. “Ed” Solomon of Havre.
District 5 (Cascade, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, & Toole Counties): Living: Charlotte (Johnson) Barry of Cut Bank; Legacy: Walter “Blackie” Wetzel (Siks-A-Num) of Browning.
District 6 (Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, & Wheatland Counties): Living: Gerald R. “Jerry” Petersen of Lewistown; Legacy: Charlie Russell Chew Choo of Lewistown.
District 7 (Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, & Yellowstone Counties): Living: John Will Small of Busby; Legacy: Paul L. “Spike” Van Cleve III of Big Timber.
District 8 (Broadwater, Jefferson, & Lewis and Clark Counties): Living: Ron Mills of Augusta; Legacy: Edward F. Lamb & George W. Lamb of Helena.
District 9 (Gallatin, Meagher, & Park Counties): Living: Jock & Jamie Doggett of White Sulphur Springs; Legacy: Brainard Ranch of Belgrade.
District 10 (Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, & Sanders Counties): Living: T. E. “Buddy” Westphal of Polson; Legacy: Majestic Valley Arena of Kalispell.
District 11 (Mineral, Missoula, & Ravalli Counties): Living: George Gogas of Missoula (Mr. Gogas passed away after being nominated as a Living Inductee and will be honored as such); Legacy: Marvin F. Bell of Hamilton.
District 12 (Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Silver Bow, Granite, Madison, & Powell Counties): Living: William F. “Bill” Murphy of Garrison; Legacy: Montana Mad Hatters of Twin Bridges.
The MCHF & WHC plans to honor these inductees during the MCHF Annual Induction Ceremony & Western Heritage Gathering February 14, 2026, in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn.
Full biographies for past inductees are available on the MCHF & WHC’s website, http://www.montanacowboyfame.org. The 2026 inductees will be added to the website in the near future.
For further information, contact the MCHF Field Office at 406-653-3800 or email Christy@montanacowboyfame.org.
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The mission of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center is to “Honor our cowboy way of life, American Indian cultures and collective Montana Western heritage." To learn more, visit www.montanacowboyfame.org