Bill Bormuth

(Oct. 5, 1944 - April 30, 2014)

Bill Bormuth, 69, of Cody, died at Spirit Mountain Hospice on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, after a short fight with cancer.

He was born Oct. 5, 1944, in Casper to Kenneth and Clysta “Sally” Bormuth, the third of three children. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Cody. His father and an uncle opened Bormuth Welding, where Bill learned to weld at the age of 11.

He graduated from Cody High School in 1962 and was a member of the Wyoming National Guard during high school and college. After high school, he attended Northwest College. There he met RoyAnna Colman. They married on July 25, 1964; they were to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

In early 1965 Bill formed a great love for going to the mountains. He enjoyed guiding hunters with father-in-law and outfitter Roy Colman. On weekends he could be found on the North Fork of the Shoshone River or in Sunlight Basin camping with RoyAnn, his parents and fly fishing with his dad, Kent.

On April 21, 1969, son Cole was born to Bill and RoyAnn.

In 1970, Bill and RoyAnn decided they needed a college education. They packed up and headed off to the University of Wyoming. Bill graduated, with honors, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Then he applied and was admitted to the University of Wyoming’s College of Law. Following that graduation, he passed the Wyoming Bar Exam in 1976.

After law school Bill jumped at the opportunity to return to Cody and set up his own law practice with partner Mick McCarty.

During his professional career he was a transactional attorney who specialized in real estate, banking, oil and gas, tax and estate planning law.

He was a lifetime owner of Corvettes. Each summer the family would take a couple Corvettes and head to the Spearfish, S.D., Corvette Rally.

Bill was also an accomplished craftsman. He honed his carpentry skills and for years built kitchen and office cabinets as well as fine furniture. Bill and RoyAnn designed and built their home, cabins and Bill’s offices.

Throughout their 50 years of married life, Bill and RoyAnn never lost their eagerness and enthusiasm to “go to the mountains.” For 15 years they had a cabin on the North Fork of the Shoshone River. In 1991 they purchased land in Crandall and there built a beautiful retirement home near the Clarks Fork River.

When RoyAnn retired from teaching they moved to Crandall full-time. It was there Bill would say he spent the very best years of his life. The fresh air and “back to nature” life helped them both unwind and slow down from busy professional careers.

During retirement, Bill and RoyAnn traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. Once they started square dancing they wintered and square danced in the warm Arizona sunshine, a favorite adventure.

Bill is survived by his wife, RoyAnn, and son Cole, both in Cody; his brother Bob (Maxine) in Mesa, Ariz., and Fort Collins, Colo., brother-in-law Jim Dugger in Ferndale, Wash., and sister-in-law Minnie (Tom) McLeran in Wichita Falls, Texas; and as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, older sister, Donna, and his beloved dog Naida.

His final quote, “It was a great life; wouldn’t change a thing!”

Bill was insistent that there were to be no services in hopes that family members and his friends would instead take their families and “go to the mountains,” breathe the fresh air, watch the river, notice the wildlife and enjoy nature’s peace and quiet.

Cremation has taken place with Ballard Funeral Home.