Michael V. Mayville, 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2020 in Gilbert, Arizona. He is survived by his wife, Maria; his three daughters, Laura (Dave) of Golden, CO, Lisa (Brian) of Gilbert, AZ, and Michelle (Dan) of Las Vegas, NV; his five grandchildren, Matt, Sean, Ashley (Michelle), Chris and Brandon (Lisa); his sister, Abbie; his brother, Paul; four children from a previous marriage, Rick, Paul, Robin, and Steve; and several grandchildren. Mike and his wife Maria were life-long residents of Greybull, Wyoming, and relocated to Gilbert in 2019.
Mike was born on August 5, 1932 in Lakeview, Michigan. In 1952, after high school, he joined the United States Army where he rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant before being commissioned as a Warrant Officer in 1957. He graduated from the Army’s Aviation School as a helicopter pilot later that year. He served with the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry during the Vietnam War. Mike attained his Senior Army Aviator Badge as well as being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart. He left the Army in 1965 to begin flying for Air America, the covert aviation arm of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Vietnam. He flew missions in both Vietnam and Laos in support of CIA and U.S. Army Special Forces operations. After leaving Air America, Mike returned to the United States and married Maria Forrest in 1968.
The couple settled in Greybull in 1969, where Mike went to work for Hawkins & Powers Aviation and where he remained for the next 35 years. Mike flew both helicopters and planes for the company, which became a world leader in aerial firefighting operations, aerial platform modifications, and training.
Mike loved the community of Greybull, his many friends, the Big Horn Mountains and Shell Falls. He served as a member of the City Council and then as Mayor for two terms from 1989 to 1993. He was also a life-long member of the Elks Club where he rose to the position of Exalted Ruler in 1986.
His remains will be cremated. Services will be held at a later date.
I love you, Dad!