William Oliver

William "Ron" Oliver, 68, passed away Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Central Wyoming
Hospice after a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer.

Ron was born on August 15, 1943 in Tacoma, Washington to Arthur and LaVonne (Kirkland) Oliver. He grew up in Buffalo, Wyoming and
graduated in 1961 from Johnson County High School. He joined the Air Force in November, 1961 and after basic training was stationed at George AFB, California and later at Clark AFB, Philippines. On August 14, 1965 he married Patricia Huggard in Modesto, California, two daughters were born to this union, they later divorced. Ron worked in electronics all of his adult life, first as a television and sound repair technician and later as a systems analyst with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Weather Service. He joined the Wyoming Air National Guard in October of 1974 as an avionics tech. He was most proud of the missions the 187th Tactical Airlift Squadron flew around the world. The sound and sight of a C130 was cause for pause and reflection of the many flights he went on. He retired from active duty in October, 1994 at the rank of Master Sergeant for a total of 24 years of military service.

He married Loretta (Twing) Smith on August 26th, 1972 in Buffalo, Wyoming and became the father to three step-sons. One daughter was born to this union bringing his family to six children. He retired from civil service in 1996 and worked for a time as a CAD draftsman before retiring permanently in 1999. After retiring he and Loretta built a mountain home in Alpine, Wyoming and enjoyed seven years there before returning to Casper. He was a strong gun enthusiast, doing his own gunsmithing and reloading, shooting for pleasure and in matches and instructing. He was a member of the national guard pistol team, winning awards in national matches. He was on the committee that helped develop and build the Stuckenhoff Shooting Complex. His interests besides guns were restoring cars, playing his guitar, photography and traveling. He was a life time member of the NRA, a member of the Casper Pistol Club and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by Loretta, his wife of 40 years; three daughters, Cheri (Eddie) Abraham of Byron, WY, Denise Moore o f Billings, MT and Julie (Eric Graves) Oliver of Casper, WY; three step-sons, Tony (Stephanie) Smith of Uniontown, PA, Tim Smith of Casper, WY and Todd (Christina) Smith of Casper, WY; ten grandsons; six granddaughters; three great-grandchildren and one on the way; two brothers, Gary (Nancy) Oliver of Gillette, WY and Don (Michelle) of Etna, WY; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his grand-parents, Rollie and Erma Kirkland and William and Mary Oliver.

A memorial service will be held at 2 P.M.,Thursday, July 26th at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery in Evansville. To honor Ron's life please consider contributing to the Whiskey Mountain Camp Project, Wyoming Game and Fish, 5400 Bishop Blvd, Cheyenne, WY, 82001, Attn: Eric Keszler.