Michael “Mike” Tyrone Bennett

November 10, 1938 - July 19, 2026

Michael “Mike” Tyrone Bennett, 87, passed away on July 19, 2026, in Billings, Mont. Born November 10, 1938, in Basin, Wyo., to William “Bill” Wesley Bennett and Maureen Shores Bennett, Mike grew up working on ranches, breaking horses and learning life’s lessons from the saddle.

After graduating high school, he served proudly as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division, completing Ranger School and making over 135 parachute jumps. He married Judy Brandt, and together they spent nearly 41 years building a family and life rooted in Wyoming values. Mike competed in rodeo bull riding and bareback riding, drove for Sinclair Trucking, and spent nearly two decades as a jailer and warden at the Big Horn County Jail. Known for his stubborn grit, humor, pickup trucks named Rambo, and his legendary mule Jules, Mike lived life entirely on his own terms.

Mike is survived by his children: Tia Jean Bennett, Zane Michael Bennett (Joni), Tara Joy Schell (David), and Tana Jo Fink (Fred); his brother, Miles Bennett; his sister, Karen Kinkaid; and his lifelong friend, Joe Gomez and countless others. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Aubrey Lee Campbell, Corey Michael Bennett, Curtis Mitchell Bennett (Katie), Jennifer Marie LeJeune (Travis), Kaylee Aliyah Bennett, Keira Liana Bennett, Cameron Michael Bennett, Addysen Grace Brown, Kayson Avery Brown, Cole Eric Archuleta (Kelsey), Morgan McKenzy Schell (Brayden), and Tanner Gage Schell, as well as multiple great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dexter Bennett, and his sister Carmen Saathoff.

Graveside services will be held in Basin, Wyo. on September 5 at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow at the Elks in Greybull, Wyo. Arrangements have been entrusted to Atwood Family Funeral Directors.