Airman 1st Class Wyatt Chase Smith of Belgrade passed away in Bosque Farms, New Mexico, on Sept. 5.

He was born in Littleton, Colorado, on a beautiful day, April 26, 1996, a beloved son of James Ray Smith and Tracy Lee (MacMillan) Smith and treasured younger brother to Austin James Smith.

Wyatt and his family moved from Colorado back to his parents’ home state of Montana in 2000, where they made their home in Belgrade. Wyatt started preschool in Belgrade, continued his education there, and was a proud graduate of the Belgrade High School Class of 2014.

Wyatt enlisted in the United States Air Force while in high school, and, after almost a year in the Delayed Enlistment Program waiting for his orders, he got his contract and left for Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 9, 2015. He graduated a proud Airman on April 2, 2015, as part of his Warrior Flight 192, and he achieved Thunder-

bolt status as well during this time. On July 16, 2015, he graduated tech school and came home on leave on the following day. On Aug. 9, 2015, he arrived at his permanent duty station at Kirtland Air Force Base.

Wyatt loved his family and friends and always met you with an infectious smile.

The outdoors was where he was most at home. He loved duck hunting, trapping, fly-fishing, big game hunting, hiking and archery shoots. He was a talented singer and guitar player who would touch your soul with his music.

He could quote many movies and entertained us all whenever in his presence. Wyatt had a love for dogs and his beloved Triggurr was by his side always. Revered and loved by countless fellow Airmen, Wyatt gained many brothers and sisters in arms during his service with the United States Air Force.

Wyatt is survived by his father, James Ray Smith and mother, Tracy Lee (MacMillan) Smith of Belgrade; brother, Austin Smith and his fiancee, Brittany Johnson of Belgrade; grandfather, Richard MacMillan of Bozeman, MT; grandfather, Ronald Smith of Clarkson; great-grandmother, Doris Smith of Bigfork; grandmother, Elaine Ingram of Bigfork; uncle, Mike Smith and aunt, Joanie Smith of Billings; uncle, K.C. Smith and aunt, Shawn Smith of Newcastle, Wyoming; uncle, Troy Owens and aunt, Kim (Smith) Owens of Pinedale, Wyoming; uncle, Blake Fevold, and aunt Tera (Ingram) Fevold of Bigfork; uncle, Donald Russell and aunt, Beth Russell of Seymour, Indiana; uncle, Mark Gaber and aunt, Christine (MacMillan) Gaber of Evergreen, Colorado; aunt, Penny Russell of Bozeman; loving cousins, Logan, Meina, Ramzie, Nathan, Shelby, Tyler, Heather, Taylor, Ally, Hazen, Gage, and Nevaeh, as well as a large extended family.

Wyatt was preceded in death by his great-grandfather, Raymond Smith; great-grandmother, Lucille MacMillan; great-grandfather, Earl MacMillan; and grandmother, Jeannie (Miller) MacMillan.

Wyatt will be brought home and received by the Air Force Honor Guard. A visitation with the family will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Home in Bozeman. Full Honor Air Force Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, with a reception immediately following his service.