Floyd N. Hoyt Jr. (Sonny), 85, of Story, WY passed away September 16, 2014 at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, Sheridan, WY. Sonny was born on August 12, 1929 on Soldier Creek west of Sheridan to Floyd and Lola (Kimmel) Hoyt. He attended school in Wyola, MT, Wagner school on Tongue River and Sheridan High School.
As a youth he lived in rural areas around Sheridan and spent a lot of his time on his Grandparent's Kimmel Ranch on Young's Creek. It was there he developed his lifelong love for ranching and outdoor activities. These were some of his fondest memories.
During World War II, there was a shortage of manpower, so at the age of fourteen he went to work operating heavy equipment for Kiewits, helping to build the Sheridan County Airport. He also worked at the V.A. Hospital and John E. Rice & Sons. In 1949 he and his Dad started their own earth-moving business building reservoirs and roads including the road from the Fordyce ranch to Kearney Lake.
This was also the year when he married the love of his life Judith Frey on April 23rd. They raised four children together and in the 1960's they began their ranching endeavors. They ranched in the Story/Banner area and on Powder River until they retired to Story in 1999. After retirement he operated a small sawmill and did pine beetle control.
Sonny enjoyed elk hunting and fishing in the Willow Park area. He raised some good saddle horses and owned several draft horse teams. He spent many hours doing wood working projects with his good buddy Walt Goodman. He also really enjoyed beating all his friends and family in cribbage, even if he had to cheat a little!
He had a great sense of humor, was always an optimist, had many friends, a large loving family and got to live and work outdoors most of his life - a true success story.
Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Grace Christler, and his son Larry Hoyt.
Sonny is survived by his wife Judy, daughter-in-law Rhonda Hoyt of Sequin, TX, son Dave (Barb) Hoyt of Leiter, WY, son John (Mari) Hoyt of San Antonio, TX, daughter Chris (John) Legler of Story, sisters Donna Miller and Rita (Wink) Lund of Sheridan, ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral service will be 10:00am on Monday, September 22nd from Champion Ferries Funeral Home with Jerry Hampshire officiating. Burial will follow at Quiet Rest Cemetery in Story. There will be a lunch provided at 12:30pm at Story Women's Club.
Memorial may benefit CHAPS, 1590 Sugarland Dr. Ste. B, Sheridan, WY 82801, Story Volunteer Fire Dept. PO Box 41, Story, WY 82842 or Story Women's Club, PO Box 103, Story, WY 82842.