Frank W. Sallee

Frank “Wayne” Sallee of Livingston, Montana passed away quietly in his home on June 20, 2026. He was 75 years old. Born March 4, 1951, in Bozeman, to Glenn and Ida (Brandal) Sallee, Frank was the eldest of 3 boys. He grew up in Livingston with a passion for the outdoors and a spirit of adventure. A graduate of Park High School in 1969, he joined the United States Air Force, receiving specialist training in radio equipment and communications repair and maintenance. On March 26th, 1974, he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in the United States Airforce Reserves. He then tried his hand at a number of occupations like laying rail for Burlington Northern, trailblazing for the National Park Service, truck driving, cowboying for ranches in the area, outfitting, and owning and operating his bar in Shawmut. He went on to start a business where he created exteriors for both private and commercial properties working with synthetic stucco and stone, which took him all over the state where his hard work and labor can still be found.

Frank put a personal ad in a magazine that read, “Never married country boy, 32, 6’ 175 lbs., pipe smoker, nondrinker, likes reading, animals and quiet places. Seeks someone to share with.” Shirley Marie Weets stood out amongst many responses to the ad. After 6 months of writing from Montana to Iowa, he drove down to the Midwest to meet her. Within a week, he had decided she was the one for him without a doubt. During that same trip, on March 28, 1984, Frank married Shirley and brought her and her young daughter back to Montana. Shortly after, he adopted her daughter, Amberly, to love and raise as his own. Frank and Shirley settled in Wilsall, Montana to raise their five children. Frank’s greatest joy was hearing his house full of his children and later, his grandchildren. He liked nothing more than sitting in his favorite chair surrounded by his family and telling tales of his youth. He was forever encouraging those around him to go out and learn because there was always something you didn’t know. He enjoyed everything his children and grandchildren created, no matter the craft or artwork because it came from their own imagination and hard work. His family will always remember Frank as the strong, skilled, intelligent man he was, holding tight to the memories of his eyes glinting with mischief and humor. His love and dedication throughout the lives of his children remained unwavering, and there would never come a day in his life that he wouldn’t drop everything to be there if he was ever needed.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Ida Sallee.

Frank is survived by his wife, Shirley; his daughters, Amberly (Joshua) Huttinger, Veronica Sallee, Paige Bickford, Janette Smith; his son, Mike Sallee; his grandchildren, Cody, Jaiden, Emma, Jackson, Dylan, Marilla, Makayla, and Dorothy; his brothers, Calvin (Penny) Sallee and Scott (Sandy) Sallee; his nephew, Luke (Angie) Sallee and his nieces, Jessie (Brian) Stern, Cassie Sallee and Jemie (Len) Wright.