Lyle Wyness
With Kurt Bensmiller (L) and Inset
October 5, 1982 – January 7, 2023
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association was shocked by the sudden passing of active supporter and current chuckwagon judge Lyle Wyness on Saturday, January 7 2023 at the young age of 40 years.
Lyle began his career working with horses as a teenager in the late 1990’s when family friend Buddy Bensmiller introduced him to thoroughbred trainer and future chuckwagon driver Barry Hodgson at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg. After 1 season of working with Barry Hodgson, Lyle’s attention shifted to the chuckwagon races and in particular the Bensmiller Chuckwagon Racing Team. From the late 1990’s Lyle was a key member of the entire Bensmiller Racing Team helping all the Bensmillers – Buddy, David, Kurt and Chance – as well as helping driver Josh Hrynyk when he started driving in 2018.
In 2019, Lyle added another dimension to his chuckwagon resume when he started as a chuckwagon judge with the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA), and was a well respected member of the WPCA Judging Team. In 2021, when there was some doubt as to whether there would be a WPCA Chuckwagon season, Lyle volunteered his time to the Dewberry Chuckwagon Heritage Committee which not only helped revive the Dewberry World Chuckwagon Races, but the Dewberry race meet officially kicked off and arguably inspired and saved the 2021 WPCA race season. Lyle continued as a member of the WPCA Judging Staff and the Dewberry Chuckwagon Heritage Committee right up until his passing.
Lyle is forever loved and remembered by his Children Wyatt, Grace and Emily Wyness; Mother Brenda Wyness of Dewberry; Siblings Garett Wyness (Josie Halko) of Lloydminster, Melissa (Glen) Whittaker of Marwayne, Eric (Jennifer) Wyness of Kitscoty; Nieces & Nephews Shaylene “Wyness”Earl, Abigail “Wyness” Earl, JD Earl, Griffin Whittaker, Ila Wyness, Ethan Wyness, Chloe Wyness and Hailey Wyness; As well as numerous extended family and friends.
He was predeceased by his Father Alexander Wyness.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at the Dewberry Community Hall.
The service will be livestreamed and can be found under the memorial video tab. If difficulties occur the service will be recorded and posted on our website within 48 hours).
Donations may be made to Lyle’s go fund me account at https://gofund.me/9a6d98e4 or to the trust fund set up for Lyle’s Children at your local ATB (Melissa In Trust Whittaker and Garett In Trust Wyness).
Lyle will be missed by all in the WPCA, the chuckwagon community in general, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Wyness family.
Billy Melville with assistance from Lleyton Bates
