William (Bill) J. Bushmaker, 82, passed away on October 18, 2011 at his home surrounded by family until the end.

Bill was born on November 16, 1928 to Mathias John and Beulah H. (Seavy) Bushmaker. Born and raised in Sheridan, WY where he graduated from Sheridan High School in 1947, he worked for the Park Street Grocery during school and then for Mountain Bell Telephone company. Bill joined the Army and served in communications from 1951 to 1953. On his return he moved to Casper, WY and again worked for the telephone company where he did many jobs; including being a line man, installer, bill collector, and he also collected change from the Pay Phones. In Casper is where he met Mary Carroll Cokenour whom he married on December 12, 1953 and started their family. In the following 10 years they were blessed with 6 children: Tom, John, Connie, Bonnie, LaVonne and Ronda. After 35 years with the telephone company he retired and had many other jobs including: working at Coast to Coast Hardware store, installing phone lines for a private company, driving a hearse for Memorial Chapel and working for Sunrise Ace Hardware.

Bill was a wonderful father and provider. He was a jack of all trades and could fix anything. The upkeep on the family home was amazing. He was forever helping anywhere he was needed. He painted, did plumbing, electrical, telephone, and cable work.

Bill is survived by his wife; Carroll of 58 years, his children; Tom of Dallas, TX, John and Rhonda of Richland, WA, Connie and Gary of Thornton, CO, Bonnie and Gordon of Casper, WY, LaVonne and David of Casper, WY and Ronda and Terry of Newnan, GA; Grandchildren; Craig (Karen) Walters, Corey (Lindsay) Bushmaker, Mindy Walters, Michael (Josie, Kayla, Hailey) Bushmaker, Daniel Mundorf, Paul (Nikolai)Romero, Kimberly (Michaela) Milne, Jeremy (Lindy) Mundorf, Jennifer (Nate, Annabelle, Lucas) Hensley, Thomas Milne, Zachory (Sofia) Milne, Kasey Flott, Carol Plumb, Katie Milne; his sister Darlene Waddell of Sheridan, WY , his brother Jack Bushmaker of Coos Bay, OR, and their families.

Bill is preceded in death by; his parents, his brother-in-law, Harry Waddell, and a great niece, Amber Neises.

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, October 24th, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 710 East 2nd St, Casper, WY with Fr. August Koeune officiating.

Memorials may be sent, in Bill’s name, directly to: Central Wyoming Hospice, 319 S. Wilson St., Casper, WY 82601. Hospice has been a blessing in our time of need.

Newcomer Funeral Home - Oct. 2011.