Lewis "Smokey" Roy Dillree

Smokey passed away peacefully at his home in Stoddard, Utah on October 18, 2026.

Smokey was born on September 8, 1934 in Choteau, Montana to parents, Willard and Cora Dillree along with his 5 siblings: Keith, Don, Leah Judd, Clinton (Fat) and Mark. “Smokey” gained his nickname as a young child from a customer at his parents restaurant in Montana. The nickname stuck throughout the rest of his life.

At the age of 14, Smokey left Montana to help his grandfather in Idaho run a 400+ head cattle ranch. His family moved to Echo, Utah in the mid 1950’s where Smokey helped run the Kozy Café with his parents and siblings. At 18 years of age Smokey started working for Bus Atkins Mink Ranch. This is where Smokey fell in love with mink ranching. Bus later sold Smokey mink to start his own ranch. He moved to Stoddard land in 1967 when the interstate went through his Echo Ranch. Smokey continued mink ranching into his late 80’s. Dad taught his kids the value of hard work, honesty, being honorable and maybe even a cuss word or two. You always knew where you stood with him.

Smokey married Norma Smith – later divorced. Married Retta Ritchie, they had 2 children, Wade (Paul) Dillree and Lezley (Chad) Rowser, they later divorced. Married Barbara Woolsey – together they blended their families, adding sons, Robert (Kathy), Todd, Brett (Rana), and Russell Woolsey. They also raised grandsons Christoper and Braden Woolsey. Other grandchildren are Teisha, Amanda, Michelle, Chaz, Raegan, Dylan and Hayden and many great grandchildren. Smokey loved his family and always expressed how important family was to him.

Besides mink ranching, Smokey raised and raced horses – his favorite racehorse was Chocolate Mountain who won many races. He also ran an excavation company for a time. He served on the Board of Directors of the Mink Rancher Co-op for many years. He also served on the Morgan County Council.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, son Todd and daughter-in-law Kathy.

The family would like to thank Cory Blonquist and Elsie Ercanbrach – Quality Home Health Hospice, and Russell Woolsey for their kind and loving care.

A Celebration of Life – Open House will be held at the Search and Rescue Building, 1010 Rifle Range Road, Morgan, Utah on Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 2:00-6:00 pm. We welcome everyone to come and share memories and stories about Smokey.

There will not be an official funeral, as Smokey has elected to donate his body to the University of Utah for Research and Education. In pure Smokey fashion, he had mentioned that “If this old body can teach somebody somethin’, then have at it!” – Off to the University as a teacher!