William Mayfield

Friends and family will honor and celebrate the life of William Howard "Bill" Mayfield on Saturday Aug. 27, at 1 pm at First Christian Church in Casper, Wyoming, a reception will follow at the Casper Shriners Club.

Bill, 64, a lifelong Casper resident died at his home on Aug. 21, 2016. Donations in his name can be made to the Mills Volunteer Fire Department, or to Casper College. Online condolences may be made at www.Newcomercasper.com

Bill was born on Dec. 13, 1951 to Howard and Helen Mayfield in his beloved city of Casper. He and twin sister Bonnie grew up both at the old family Drugstore in North Casper, and then moved to Mills at the Casper Sale Barn, where their father was the auctioneer. Bill had a great love of animals and could always be found tending his Grandfather Reinharts livestock, or helping with chores around the sale barn. In high school Bill was very active in FFA, and played both the piano and the guitar, he was brilliant scholastically, as well as very athletic in his younger years. During the summers Bill would work at the A Bar A Ranch in Encampment, Wyoming, where he would care for a remuda of saddle horses leased to the A Bar A by his father, Howard. While at the A Bar A, Bill also worked at a part of the ranch called Big Creek where he would care for a herd of yearlings that the ranch summered on grass. In the evenings, Bill would play his guitar and sing for guests of the A Bar A in the Roundhouse. Bill quickly became a guest favorite, and was making more money in tips from the guests than his actual ranch wages. As a young man with tremendous musical talent, Bill could often be found on the weekends easing around the country playing at dance halls, or in somebody's barn with his good friends the "Country Showmen". It was in high school that Bill met Rita McQuay, they both graduated from Natrona County High School in the class of 1970. Bill and Rita were married in 1972, and had three children together, sons Troy and Justin, and daughter, Marcie. Bill went on to Casper College and received an Associates of Science Degree, and in the spring of 1974 he followed his fathers footsteps and attended Auctioneer School at Western College in Billings, Montana. Bill came home to Mills, Wyoming to help his father at the sale barn and raise his family, during this time he was also a member of the Mills Volunteer Fire Department. While in Mills, Bill also started working for Elder Equipment and Leasing to provide for his family, and the livestock that they all enjoyed.

In 1993, Bill met Carol Cowdin and her two young children, Megan and Joseph Ferguson. Bill and Carol were married on Aug. 5, 1995, and have shared the last 21 years together. Bill dove head first into Carol, Megan and Joes life as a supportive and loving husband and father. He loved and admired them and brought them closer together. Bill enjoyed watching Megan and Joe grow and mature. Together Bill and Carol were the "Top Chefs" in the family, and loved to cook at the many family gatherings held throughout the years.

Bill had an excessive work ethic which he instilled in his children. He was a dedicated employee, with always a smile and a kind word, and he recently received a fifteen-year service award from his current employer, Casper College. The staff at Casper College have been stunned and heartbroken to hear of his passing, he was one of their most loved employees. Many say that no matter the task Bill always had a smile on his face and took pride in his work.

Bill loved history, especially Wyoming history. He had a quick wit and dry sense of humor which often shown through in the endless supply of odd jokes he loved to tell. Although he may have had a short stature, Bill had an enormous heart, he was a most loyal friend a guy could have, and loved to sit and visit with folks. Bill was a family man, nothing made him happier than seeing his children and especially seeing his seven Grandchildren. The enjoyment Bill had in the outdoors led him to hobbies such as hunting, fishing and camping, and gardening. Bill and Carol were both looking forward to the day they could both retire and spend more time with family and the outdoor activities that they both loved. Bill was a cowboy, a musician, an auctioneer, a great cook especially in a Dutch oven, a hard working family man, and a genuinely kind individual.

Bill is preceded in death by parents Howard and Helen Mayfield, and one infant son, Troy.

Bill is survived by wife Carol Mayfield of Casper, son Justin (Lynn) Mayfield of Midwest, daughter Marcie (Zane) Wagoner of Gillette, step-daughter Megan (Eli) Ferguson of Casper, step-son Joseph (Deb) Ferguson of Denver CO., and sister Bonnie Mayfield of Sequim, WA.

He will greatly be missed!

To share your memories of Bill or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.