Albert John Pilch, 92, of Evanston, passed away on Wednesday, July 6th of causes incident to age. Al was born on May 2, 1924 in Acme, WY to George Walter Pilch of Goleszów, Poland and Mary Ann Stejkal of Oberleutensdorf, Czechoslovakia. He grew up in Acme and Sheridan. He had two brothers, Tony and Richard, and two sisters, Florence and Ann.

On December 5, 1942, during his senior year in high school, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army and reported to Fort Warren. He was sent to the Pacific Theater and served 24 months on the Hawaiian Islands, Gilbert Islands, and Okinawa. He participated in the Southern Philippines Liberation and received numerous medals including The American Theater of Operation Service Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Ribbon, and the Philippine Liberation Service Ribbon with one Bronze Star.

Honorably Discharged on 8 January 1946 he returned to Sheridan and graduated from high school with the class of ’46. After a long road trip with friends, a job with the telephone company put him in southwest Wyoming where he met his future wife. On June 18, 1948 Albert and Shirley May Spencer were married in her family home on Sage Street. Albert went to work for his father-in-law as a car salesman at the Lincoln Service Station, a profession he continued for 4 decades. In 1952 the couple suffered the tragedy of a stillborn daughter. Later, two sons completed the family.

As well as running a successful Chevrolet, Buick, and Oldsmobile business Albert also served on the Wyoming Recreation Commission for 21 years and acted as president of the commission for two terms. During his time on the commission, Al was instrumental in acquiring land for the Bear River State Park and the Wyoming Information Center. A picnic area at the park is named in his honor. He also attained numerous grants for golf courses, parks, and sports facilities in Evanston, Fort Bridger, Lyman, and Mountain View as well as the Uinta County Youth Camp.

He served as president of the Lions Club, Evanston Jaycees, VP of the Wyoming Jaycees, chairman of the Evanston Cowboy Days Committee, Commander of the American Legion, member of fire department, VFW, Elks, et al. He was named Evanston Citizen of the year in 1985 and was once the Grand Marshall of the Cowboy Days parade. And, Al is one of the few individuals who can claim a hole-in-one in golf (2) and a perfect 300 game in bowling.

Albert is survived by two sons, Spencer (Ellen) and Scott (Carrie) of Evanston; seven grandchildren, Brian of Evanston, Jason (Sarah) of Eagle Mountain UT, Allison (Derek) Hoopes of Bonney Lake WA, Jessamyn (Andrew) Klinker of Falmouth ME, Caitlin (Seth) Marosok of Sheridan WY, Taylor (Seth) Harris of Green River WY; and Hanna of Evanston; and 8 great-grandchildren . He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, parents, and his two brothers and two sisters.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff and Rocky Mountain Care for providing professional care as well as their kindness and friendship. We would also like to thank all those close friends that took the time to visit Al and Shirley during these last few years, both at home and at the nursing facility. Albert and Shirley had been together for 66 years and he dearly missed her at her passing. He was truly looking forward to being reunited with her.

A VFW Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 26th at 11 a.m. at the Uinta County Courthouse. Following that, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Purple Sage Golf Course Gateway Grill. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Online condolences may be given at the Crandall Funeral Home, crandallfhevanston.com.

Crandall Funeral Home Inc. - July, 2016.