Ernest 'Wayne' Harris

Ernest Wayne Harris, 84, of Belgrade, Montana passed away Sunday, February 14, 2010. Wayne was born February 28, 1925 in Clyde Park, Montana to Tony and Ada (Bullock) Delano. He graduated from Bozeman High School and then attended the University of Illinois in Champaign for Diesel Mechanics. He joined the Navy in 1943 and fought in three frontline invasions. He cleared the beaches for troops to follow on various islands in the Pacific during World War II. On June 6, 1947, Wayne married Helyn Louise Sheets. The couple had two children, James and Linda. Wayne helped build roads in Yellowstone National Park before beginning his career with the railroad in 1948, working for Northern Pacific and BNRR as a track maintenance laborer, a truck driver, and eventually a section foreman. He retired in 1985. Never content with idleness, Wayne drove truck transferring RV#8217;s for Big Sky RV. He was a proud outdoorsman, who loved hunting, fishing, horsebacking, camping, and hiking. He also enjoyed farming and gardening, as well as motorcycling and traveling. Wayne was a loyal member of the Eagles for 42 years as well as the VFW. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Helyn Harris in 2003. Survivors include his children, James W. (Nancy E.) Harris of Bozeman, MT and Linda L. (Al) Bakken of Belgrade, and three granddaughters, Tracy, Julie and Corinne. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wayne#8217;s name may be made to Bozeman Deaconess Hospice, 931 Highland Blvd, Ste. 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Interment will be held at 3:15 pm on Saturday at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Benda and Bozeman Deaconess Hospice for their care.