Edward Lee Guthrie

Posted

(January 18, 2002)

Memorial services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25 at St. John's Episcopal Church for Edward Lee Guthrie, 70, who died at his home in Powell on Friday, Jan. 18.

The Rev. Patterson Keller will officiate, with interment of ashes to follow at Valley Cemetery on the South Fork.

Mr. Guthrie was born Feb. 10, 1931, at Pleasant Hills, Ill., son of Wilbert and Della Seymour Guthrie. He spent the years of his youth living on the family farm in southeast Illinois, graduating from high school in Milton, Ill., in 1948.

Upon graduation, he came to Powell to find work on the local farms. He fell in love with Wyoming. It was a love that would last for a lifetime.

He also loved sports, any contest that involved a ball. He attended Western Illinois University on athletic and scholastic scholarships. Following college and a tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Stuttgart, Germany, he returned to Wyoming. This time he would never leave.

After meeting the love of his life, Katherine Billings, they were married on the upper South Fork near Valley on June 6, 1954, and settled down to a fulfilling and productive life in his adopted home.

Mr. Guthrie began a lifetime of work for Amoco Oil Company as a water truck driver in Midwest, continuing to work for Amoco for 35 years before retiring as a production and drilling foreman in 1986. Never one to sit idly, he continued to work part-time as an oil field consultant in retirement.

Following his love of sports, he coached Babe Ruth and American Legion Baseball in Powell for 16 years, serving as a mentor for many fine youth athletes and producing many enduring friendships. He continued to support youth athletics throughout his life, and in retirement, he developed a passion for golf, which would keep him active and fit.

He loved to fish and hunt on the upper South Fork with his father-in-law, Glen Billings, who taught him the best places to enjoy nature. He took great pride in maintaining his home and yard and enjoyed having fun with his grandchildren.

Those who knew him will remember that he always maintained his inner strength and positive outlook. Family relates, "He has always been our hero. We cherish every moment we had with him, and he will forever be in our hearts."

Survivors include his wife Katherine of Powell; daughters Ann Marie Winders and husband Orin of Green River and Barbara Ann Dicks and husband Hal of Powell; brother Larry Guthrie and wife Glenda and sister-in-law Marie Guthrie, all of Powell; mother-in-law Harriet Billings of Green River; four grandchildren and one great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Art Guthrie; and a sister, Mary Jean Guthrie.

For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to Powell American Legion Baseball or Valley Hospice in the spirit of continuing his dedication to community service.

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