When W. Wallace Smith retired and was succeeded by his son Wallace B. Smith in 1978, Wallace B. Smith selected Couey and Howard S. Sheehy, Jr. to be his counselors in the new First Presidency.
Duane Allman | Duane Steele | Duane Hopwood | Diane Duane | Duane Michals | Duane Swierczynski | Duane Martin | Duane Eddy | Duane "Dog" Chapman | Paul Duane | James Duane | Duane Hagadone | Duane Garrison Hunt | Duane Denison | Duane Brown | Duane Bobick | Thomas Duane | Duane Thomas | Duane Sutter | Duane's Hangar | Duane Ross | Duane Reade | Duane R. Bushey | Duane Peters | Duane Pasco | Duane Milne | Duane Lyman | Duane Kuiper | Duane Jarvis | Duane Harden |
On 3 April 1978, Wallace B. Smith succeeded his father as church president and selected Sheehy and Duane E. Couey as his counselors.