Wayne Ward Whitney passed away on June 19"‘ 2015 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was 85.
The world lost a good husband, good father, and a good man. He was the 7"‘ child born to Ida (Hart) and
Ward B. Whitney, on June 5"‘, 1930 in Kalispell, Montana. He spent most of his early childhood on Swan
Lake where his father, who was a carpenter, stayed on as caretaker of Six Mile Estates afier building the
many cottages and buildings on property. He graduated from Bigfork High School in 1949 and enrolled at
Montana State College (now MSU) in the study of Architecture. He lost both his parents his freshman
year. At college he met Helen Hesse who was later to become his wife. His studies and courtship were
interrupted when he was drafted into the army in 1954 during the Korean conflict. After his honorable
discharge in 1956 he married Helen and returned to Bozeman to continue his studies. On their
Honeymoon they started building a family cabin on Swan Lake that would become the favorite family spot
where lots of fun and memorable times were spent. His daughter Joy was born in 1957 and he received
his Architecture degree in 1958. Afier graduation they lived in Kalispell where he was employed in an
Architectural firm. His son Mark joined the family in 1959. The family moved to Helena where their
son Frank was born in 1961 on Wayne’s birthday. While in Helena he helped found and was a partner in
the Architectural firm Crossman, Whitney, Griffin. This firm is still in business as CWG Architects in
Helena.
During their 32 years in Helena they were active as a family and enjoyed skiing, family vacations, time
spent at the family cabin on Swan Lake, and following the athletic endeavors of kids and grandkids. The
whole family also built a ski cabin on Bridger Bowl which had been a long time dream of Wayne’s.
Wayne was on several civic boards in Helena and at one point was president of the Montana chapter of the
American Institute of Architects. He was an award winning Architect and some of the buildings he
designed include the Carroll College PE center, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Flathead Bank of Bigfork,
Eagle Bend Club House in Bigfork, St. Labre mission church, Catholic Church in Polson, St. Mary’s
Church in Helena, Highway Department building in Helena, and multiple private residences. He was also
a talented artist and loved to paint landscapes, old buildings, and teepee scenes. He and his wife retired to the
beloved Swan Lake in 1993 to a house built by son Mark next to the original family cabin.
Wayne was preceded in death by all six of his siblings, Ralph, Arthur, Jack, Dempsy, Julia, and Phyllis. He
is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen, and his children Joy (Robert) Corwin of Great Falls, Mark
(April), and Frank (Toni) Whitney of Bigfork, grandsons Tyler Corwin, Kevin (Kinsey) Corwin, and Evan
Whitney and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be done at a later date. In lieu of flowers,
donations are suggested to the Swan Lake Search and Rescue, or Bigfork QRU.to send a note of condolence to the family please go to www.buffalohillfh.com
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.