The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame will celebrate the 18th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Saturday, February 14, at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees will be recognized for their contributions to the history and culture of the state of Montana.
Now is the time to register for the Inductee Recognition Ceremony Brunch, which begins at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the accomplishments and lasting legacies of the inductees to the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Pre-registration is $35 per person. Call today to reserve your seat.
Nomination criteria established by the board for the Class of 2026 inductions allowed the election of one Living Inductee and one Legacy Inductee from each of the MCHF 12 districts.
The 2026 inductees into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame are:
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.
Attendees are encouraged to wrap up their day with The Cowboy Ball and Benefit Auction, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. that evening, February 14. The 2026 Saddle of Honor recipient, 2019 MCHF Inductee Iola “Olie” Else: Montana’s Lady of Western Education, will be honored and receive a bronze sculpture of Charlie Russell’s saddle created by Jay Contway. This event features a brisket buffet dinner and live Western music by Big Sky Country. A silent and live auction will feature unique Western items. If you wish to donate to the auction, please contact us. Pre-registration to the Cowboy Ball is $80 per person.
Pre-registration of events is required by calling (406) 650-7460.
Full biographies of all inductees are available on the MCHF & WHC’s website http://www.montanacowboyfame.org.
