WEY SYMMES was born in Helena, Montana, and was raised in Lewistown and Billings. In 1966 he enlisted in the United States Navy. During his service he spent two years aboard the USS Ticonderoga and one year on Swift boats in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam. Honorably discharged in 1970, Symmes was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation for Extraordinary Heroism, two Navy Unit Commendations, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), and other awards.    

Symmes married Terry Persson Symmes in 1970. He received a bachelor's degree in 1973 and a master's degree in 1975 in Political Science from the University of Montana. He entered the banking business in 1975 and retired from First Security Bank as Senior Vice President in 1999.

Symmes was the treasurer for the Montana State Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, and the first treasurer of the Swift Boat Sailors’ Association, was the national treasurer for Swift Boat Veterans  & POWs for Truth and was on the Board of the Admiral Roy F. Hoffmann Foundation.