Morris Baye

Date of Departure

Obituary

Morris Baye, 89, of Mitchell, SD, died Monday, August 16, 2021, at Edgewood Assisted Living in Mitchell. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, October 7, 2021 at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Morris “Squill” Baye was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was a cowboy extraordinaire and spent the majority of his working life as a ranch foreman in Washington and Montana.

Morris, or Squill as most knew him, was a friend to all who met him; but he really liked you if you had a good cow dog and a good horse! He was an avid storyteller, whether truth or tale, that had most listening closely for the details and the story’s ending. He often shared stories of his own adventures - including a time when he was working in the feedlot cutting out sick calves into the ‘sick pen’. He had the pen half full before he realized the Brahman calves all had droopy ears!

When he wasn’t working cattle on the ranch and in the pens, he was team roping steers in any given arena.  At different times, he was either a header or a heeler and roped into his 70s.  In 1998 Squill won a heeling saddle at the Wolf Point Roping Club Round Robin event.

Morris enlisted in the service and proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War with the 7th Infantry Division.  He served 3 years in the US Army in Europe and the Far East.  He sustained combat injuries during the conflict that followed him through his life.  He was most proud of his Combat Infantry Badge and had earned two Purple Hearts while serving in the Army. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant First Class.  He was a proud member and supporter of the DAV, American Legion and the VFW.  In 2016, he was able to be part of the Honor Flight out of North Dakota and toured Washington, D.C. with other veterans as well as his three children.

He met Viola Hinderer in Williston, North Dakota.  From the time they met, they were constant companions and best friends.  Rarely did you see one without the other; working, laughing, but always together. The two recently celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversary. They had three children, Juana Tingdale (Cliff Parsons), James Baye (Diane) and Jack Baye (Lori).  In addition to his children, he was a loving and proud grandfather to Kelsey Baye, Ryan Baye, Mitchell Baye and Mandee Baye.  His love for Vi and his family was clearly evident in any conversations he had.

After Morris retired, they wintered in Texas after meeting up with an Army buddy. They spent many winters there, enjoying warmth and sunshine. He taught himself how to play the dobro and joined different musicians performing in Texas and the Alexander, ND area.

Morris was born, raised and attended rural schools in Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Alpha Baye, six sisters, four brothers, and a dear grandson, Marcus Baye.  He is survived by two brothers.

Memorials can be made toward the ND Veterans Cemetery Foundation, www.ndvcf.org.