Wilbur William “Bill” Raymond

Bill Raymond, age 87, passed from us on November 22, 2024, in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Bill was born in Indio, California on September 16, 1937, to Kiza Stark Raymond and Herbert Wilbur Raymond. Times were different then, and with his parents working, he spent his childhood alone out in the hills with his faithful Doberman (Otis), by his side. Since childhood, Bill has always had a dog in his life.

He signed up for the army his senior year of high school, but his parents would not consent.

At a young age, Bill married Dorothy Green and they started a family. While holding down a full-time job, he graduated from the University of Nevada-Reno with a BS in Industrial Management. He started his career with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, then moved to Pacific Power & Light Company.

When the time came for him to move, Bill was very happy to leave southern California. He held various positions with Pacific, in Glenrock, WY; Centralia, WA; and Portland, OR. Having spent much time in Wyoming, he realized that he really loved everything about it.

As things happen, Bill and Dorthy eventually divorced; resulting in family members going their separate ways. Bill transferred to NERCO Mining as the Manager of Industrial Engineering, where he worked to improve the productivity of PacifiCorp’s mines. This provided a return to Wyoming, where Bill married Carla Lentfer Price on April 1, 1982. The couple resided in Story, WY.

Upon leaving NERCO, Bill tried his hand at a small gift shop in Buffalo and made small, personalized branding irons for steaks. Soon these branding irons were in all the catalogs (offered by others). He should have filed a patent on that one!

Not finding much success in Buffalo, Bill went to work with Western Power Services where he supervised annual maintenance on power plants in Colorado and Arizona. Since he and Carla could live anywhere, the family moved to the Washington coast and bought a proposed retirement home.

One day, Bill received a call asking if he would be interested in moving to Seattle, WA to work at the Port of Seattle, as the Manager of Marine Maintenance. Since Carla was working in Portland, and Bill was working at the Port of Seattle, they would drive every weekend, to meet at their house on the coast.

That did not last long, and soon Carla joined Bill in Seattle with four French bulldogs; where they settled in a condo.

After retiring from the Port, Bill and Carla moved back to Sheridan, once again to be near their lifelong friends; Ed and Orlene Perritt.

Not being not one to sit around, Bill had to keep busy. He was always looking for new adventures, and wow, did he find them! He worked as a cell control officer at the Sheridan County Detention Center; drove bus for RENEW and School District 2; worked as a groundskeeper at Fort Mackenzie Veteran’s Hospital, and he actually herded goats on the Powder River to eradicate Leafy Spurge. Bill also served on the Sheridan County Historic Preservation Commission, the City of Sheridan Planning Commission, and the Sheridan County Fairgrounds Commission.

His life-long interests were centered on target-shooting and mountain man era re-enactments. He did school presentations on Indian sign language and the trapper era. Bill also participated in many events at Fort Phil Kearney, the Gatchell Museum, and other forts; where he dressed like a trapper. He thoroughly enjoyed walking in several Sheridan Rodeo parades, participating in Story Days, and Crow Fair parades, where he dressed in his finery with black powder rifle in hand.

He also had fun presenting the life of Sheriff Red Angus, at the Willow Grove Cemetery Tour.

More of his adventures included climbing Mt. St. Helens and canoeing with his son Michael on the Mackenzie River to the Arctic Circle in the Inuvik, Northwest Territories. He and his son Dennis canoed the Bowron Lakes Loop in British Columbia. He enjoyed wood carving, making leather clothing by hand, and creating ceremony pipes with Crow style beading.

Bill was fortunate to lead such a full life with his many interests. He always appreciated the friendship and

kindness of others. Bill and Carla had a great life together until time finally caught up and asked too much of him. He will be missed!

Bill is survived by his wife, Carla, sons Dennis and Michael, daughters Danette Kinzer and Sandra Freeman (Stan and Melissa, Heather, Aleesha), many grandchildren, and his brother Bob (Lucille).  He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Christopher.

A graveside service will be held in spring 2025. If you wish, we recommend a donation to the Dog and Cat Shelter; Sheridan Cat Rescue, or Samaritan’s Purse.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com. Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.