Bill Schunk, 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at a local care facility surrounded by his family.

Bill was born April 29, 1933 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Dr. William Frederick Schunk and Edna Grandbouche Schunk. He was raised with his older sister, Louise, and a younger brother, Edward. The family spent much of their time on packtrips into the Bighorn Mountains, sharing their experiences with family and friends. The Schunk family cabin was a special place for all to gather and many happy hours were spent there. Bill had a deep love of the mountains and primitive areas, and spent time fishing, exploring the mountains and riding his horse Nugget. There was no place more special to him than the Bighorn Mountains and the Schunk cabin. He played the violin and had an appreciation for orchestra music. Later he took up the saxophone and played in the high school band. He attended the University of Wyoming and also played football there.

He married Patricia Lee Shell in 1955. Together they raised four daughters, Debbie, Teri, Theresa, and Billie. They lived in Wyoming, Alaska, and Idaho. Almost every weekend was an adventure. There were camping trips, fishing in Alaska for salmon, ocean exploring (in a 14' aluminum boat loaded with six people and a dog!), and snowmobiling, to mention just a few. All of his daughters have memories of the "Hippie Wagon" and all the trips loaded down with our ponies, dogs and chickens! The breakdowns were part of the adventure. Every Friday night, Bill would fix dinner: Nalley's chili with hotdogs or popcorn, and maybe a few "electrocuted" hot dogs, rootbeer floats, and we would eat in the living room and watch TV. Sundays, he would make popcorn balls. It was such a treat for us! He let us girls have all the pets we loved and that was so special of him to do for us.

Bill worked several jobs in his life. He was a hard worker and could do most everything. He was a mechanic most of his life, and was a Snap-on-Tool representative. He was a very skilled diesel mechanic, and owned his own diesel repair business, Keep on Truckin'.

Bill was living in Pocatello when he moved the sawmill from the Schunk cabin to Idaho. He got it running and cut lumber to build his log home. It was a beautiful home and he was proud of it. He also milled lumber for his daughter Debbie's house and his barn and shop.

Bill and Pat were divorced in 1987. As this part of his life changed, he moved back to Wyoming and found a new life. He married Darleen Schreibeis Barbula, of Sheridan Wyoming. He settled down to raise and milk dairy cattle. He helped with the chores and enjoyed being surrounded by her family and friends. Together, they were able to spend time at the Schunk cabin, they volunteered at the soup kitchen in Sheridan, and they went on a couple of cruises. Bill liked to take Darleen to dinner, and loved to drive to town and get a large vanilla latte with three shots of coffee. He and Darleen attended the Lutheran Church and Bill developed a deeper relationship with God. He loved all of her children: Larry, Don, Nancy, Chuck, and Jamie. He loved Darleen for twenty years, until her death in 2008. His brother Edward and his wife Rosemary helped him in this difficult part of his life. He did so miss Darleen.

In his last years, Bill returned to Pocatello. He had a little house and a lot of independence and would drive to eat out or get a latte. After a fall, he broke his hip. He lost most of his independence, as he was no longer mobile and was wheelchair bound. He lived at Pocatello Care and Rehab for his last three years. There was a tough adjustment period but he did become at ease there. He flirted with the lady nurses and I'm pretty sure that they each had been proposed to at least once! He was often tender and helpful with the other residents, but could also be stubborn and didn't always make life easy for those around him. We are grateful to the care and love given him during his stay at that facility.

Bill will be greatly missed. He had a great sense of humor, great intelligence, and a great heart. He was stubborn, tough, exasperating, kind, critical, and generous. He loved a good book, a good argument, good simple food, and his family. His favorite flavor was vanilla. We love you, Daddy.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Darleen; parents, Will and Edna; brother, Edward; a daughter, Mary; and grandchildren Jake Black and David Barbula.

He is survived by his sister, Louise; children, Debbie Brooks, Teri (Doug) Steed, Theresa (Ken) Pape, and Billie (Robert) Misevcis; grandchildren, Alan Steed, Michelle (Darin) Ivie, Jordan Brooks, Jared (Inna) Brooks, and their daughter, Arielle. He is also survived by Darleen's children Larry (Mary) Barbula, and their son Lucas; Don(Cheryl) Barbula, and their children, Griffin, Audrey, Leah (Brad) and their daughter, Reagan; Nancy Barbula, Chuck Barbula; Jamie (Maria) Barbula, and their children, Ryan, Sean, and Keaton. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held from 5-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W. Chubbuck Road. Funeral services will take place on Saturday March, 8, 2014, at 10:00 am in Sheridan Wyoming at Kane Funeral Home, with interment in Story, Wyoming at noon. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.wilksfuneralhome.com (208)238-8000.

The Sheridan Press - Mar. 5, 2014.