Wesley M. Coy

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, Wesley M. Coy finished his earthly race and went home to Heaven after a 26-month battle against glioblastoma. 

He faced his final battle with courage, faith and quiet strength, surrounded by the love of those who meant the most to him.

Wes was born on July 27, 1961, in Bozeman, Montana, to Carl and Rosanne Coy. He spent his early elementary years in Dillon before his family moved to Troy, Montana, where Wes would later graduate from high school. A gifted athlete, he attended Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri, on a football scholarship for one year before returning home to Montana to continue his education at Montana Tech.

Jan. 30, 1981, Wes met the love of his life, Janet Newman, when she picked him up in her Pinto to travel to Troy for the wedding of their best friends. From that moment on, his heart was decided. Wes proposed just weeks later on Feb. 13, 1981, and they were married on June 18 of that same year.

Though Wes didn’t always make decisions quickly, choosing Janet was one he never questioned. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised two children: Amy and David. Wes began his career working for ASARCO at the Troy Mine, where he spent eight years before feeling called to return to school. He earned his degree in education from the University of Montana in 1991, launching a lifelong passion for teaching and leadership.

He taught science and math at Joliet High School for eight years and spent many summers teaching Driver’s Education. His journey in education continued as he ran the school at New Life for two years, taught math at YBG and Northern Cheyenne Tribal School, and completed his Master’s degree in Educational Administration.

In 2006, Wes accepted his first administrative role with Hobson Public Schools. He was later hired by the Huntley Project School District, where he took on the challenge of rebuilding the high school—a task he approached with dedication and heart.

Although he officially retired from public education in 2017, Wes never truly left the classroom. Wanting to be closer to his grandchildren, he became a principal and teacher at Billings Christian Schools. In 2021, he taught math for one year at Grass Range before returning to science at Shepherd High School.

Wes lived life fully. He played football, basketball and track, and later coached all three, along with volleyball. He played softball for many years and found joy in biking—especially when sharing that passion with his grandchildren. He also loved photography and some of his most treasured memories were made hunting Montana’s mountains and floating its rivers with his son, David and eventually grandchildren. 

He shared a deep love for missions, traveling and leading trips to Mexico, Guatemala, Burkina Faso, Israel and Egypt. Wes was a teacher in every sense of the word— whether in a classroom, on a field, in the mountains, or across the world. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he shaped, the family he loved fiercely, and the faith he carried faithfully to the end.

Wes is preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law Glen Newman.

He leaves behind his wife of 44 years Janet, siblings Nick (Vicky), Barry (Kry), Mary (Jeff), children Amy (Justin) and David (Diana). Grandchildren Claire, Natalie, Bianca, Benjamin, Liam, Judah, Oliver, Bianca, Arabella, Lewis and great-grandson Milo. He is also leaves behind numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at New Life Church, 3950 Temple Place, Billings, MT.