Eleanor Walters Hamilton

Nov. 8, 1929 - Feb. 24, 2025

Eleanor Walters Hamilton, a devoted ranch wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at the Central Wyoming Hospice on Feb. 24, 2025, at the age of 95.

Born on Nov. 8, 1929, to Stanley and Helen Walters in Basin, Wyo., Eleanor was raised on the family ranch in Hyattville, where she developed a deep appreciation for ranch life. She attended school in Basin and later in Hyattville. After losing her mother to cancer at age 16, she moved to Worland to finish high school, graduating as salutatorian in 1947. She then attended the University of Wyoming, earning a history degree. During her junior year, she met Merle Hamilton, and they married on Aug. 31, 1951, at the family ranch.

Together, Eleanor and Merle built a life centered on family, faith, and agriculture. They raised two sons, Keith and Ken, instilling in them the values of hard work and honesty. Ranch life brought both joys and hardships. In 1960, she tragically lost her brother Ron in a tractor accident, and in 1964, her father passed away from cancer. Through these losses, Eleanor remained a pillar of strength, leaning on faith and community support.

In 1968, she and Merle purchased shares in Walters Brothers Ranch, later renaming it Hamilton Ranch. Eleanor played a vital role in daily operations — feeding livestock, helping in the lambing barn and gardening. She milked cows to feed orphaned lambs, raised chickens for fresh eggs, and canned produce to sustain the family. She worked tirelessly, whether mending clothes, dragging fields with a Ford 8N tractor or preparing meals for the ranch crew.

Her cooking was a highlight for those who worked alongside her. Though she humbly claimed not to be a great cook, her home-cooked meals were always in demand. 

Eleanor spent summers packing provisions to sheep camps in the high country, helping move cattle to and from the mountains and ensuring the crew had food for the long days. She loved both cattle and sheep but admitted her heart belonged to the sheep.

A dedicated member of the Hyattville Methodist Church, she helped organize the annual church dinner to raise funds. In their later years, Eleanor and Merle traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Australia, though she always preferred returning to the ranch. Even into her 80s, she continued contributing to ranch work, embodying resilience and dedication.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Merle Hamilton. She is survived by her sons Keith and Linda (Yeager) Hamilton of Hyattville, Ken and Kathy (Weirauch) Hamilton of Laramie, her grandchildren Diane (Hamilton) and Curt Cox of Casper, Doug and Michelle (Vigil) Hamilton of Worland, Ian Hamilton of Sheridan, and her great grandchildren Carter and Cooper Cox of Aspyn and Burgess Hamilton.

A service was held March 4 at the Hyattville Community Center. Donations may be made in her name to the Hyattville Volunteer Fire Department or the Hyattville Community Center.