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Wyoming lost one of its most devout fans and advocates on Jan. 29, 2023. Wesley Joseph Metzler passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family in Powell, Wyoming. He will be missed dearly by all of his family and friends.
Wes was born in Riverton, Wyoming, to Jeff and Margaret (Lewis) Metzler on April 29, 1937, and was the third child of five in his family. He was very proud of and loved his siblings dearly, Jack (resting in peace), Carolyn (resting in peace), Jane and Bill. The family moved to Powell when Wes was 2 years old and he graduated from Powell High School in 1955. He went immediately to the University of Wyoming where he wrestled proudly all four years at any weight the coaches asked him to wrestle (even bravely wrestled up a weight against the famous Dan Hodge). This is where he also earned his bachelor’s degree in business. Though he was very shy with “the girls,” he fell in love with and married his very smart and beautiful Wyoming Cowgirl, Coleen Kay Metzler (Ferguson) on Oct. 10, 1958. They were honored to be the first wedding at the University of Wyoming’s recently built campus Catholic Church, Saint Paul’s Newman Center, which blessed them with 65 years of marriage. They lived in UW’s student housing until Wes graduated in May 1959 and then they promptly moved to Powell where he ambitiously started his community and family legend.
Wes quickly joined his father in the family business (Metzler Agency) where he was offered the manager position of the insurance division and he later transitioned to real estate when the insurance division was sold. During the early stages of their new life together in Powell, the babies just started coming and coming. Wes was the proud father of many wrestlers, Mike (resting in peace), Tim, Jill (yes, even the females in this family), Nick, Greg and Andy. His philosophy was to not bother with furniture because “we need wrestling rooms and we are going to sell this house eventually anyway.” He loved and adored his 12 grandchildren who pulled pranks on each other and brought many laughs through the years. He was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren.
He led by example and with compassion in all of his life passions — faith, family, friendship, community, business and athletics. He was a stoic and proud man who was:
• Loyal and devout to God and his Catholic faith — he demonstrated this through all of his volunteer services. To name a few examples during his lifetime with St. Barbara’s Catholic Church, he served as trustee, financial council member, scholarship committee member, CCD faith educator, Knights of Columbus member, funeral usher and oversight on the building committee to assist with remodels and real estate growth for the church and most importantly his silent, humble and selfless charity and service to help others in need. He was also proud and honored to be a godfather.
• A leader and good steward of community through his philanthropy and many opportunities for fundraising and growth — his vision and volunteer services in Wyoming and the Powell community can’t be captured in one place but whoever is reading this knows how he touched your life in this way. A few examples of his lifelong volunteer services to community include: being the ambassador for the Rocky Mountain Manor; Moyer Community Foundation board member; instrumental in bringing a free medical clinic to Powell; Heritage Health Center board member; Habitat for Humanity; Powell Fire Department volunteer; Park County Realtors Association; President of Wyoming Realtors Association; Powell Recreation board member; Powell Variance board member; and Elks and Eagles member.
• All about “It’s not your physical size, it’s the size of your determination and character” that matters in athletics; that is how Wes approached his personal life, his coaching and mentoring with athletes and his enduring commitments to the athletic community. You could find him at most local wrestling practices and matches, sometimes on the mat himself to help with practices. He co-founded and sponsored the “Athlete of the Week” in the Powell Tribune and was a referee at wrestling matches throughout Wyoming, and was a member of The Cowboy Joe Club, Wyoming Senior Golfers’ Association. Wes and Coleen were awarded the Greatest University of Wyoming Football Fans of the Year, as he attended, watched or listened to almost every UW sporting event. He sponsored local running events such as the Sugar Beet Classic and Peaks to Prairie, and persevered to personally stay physically fit through his daily gym regimen, hiking, fishing, golfing and hunting.
Please join Coleen and the Metzler family in prayer and celebration of a great man, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. Wes always welcomed everyone and encouraged those he encountered to “smile with your eyes.” He would enjoy watching us celebrate and smile together in his honor at the following events:
• Rosary Vigil — this will be held at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at 6 p.m.
• Funeral Mass — this will be celebrated at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at 3 p.m. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed and the link can be found here on the Thompson Funeral Home website: thompsonfuneral.net/obituary/wesley-metzler.
• Celebration of Life — the celebration, camaraderie and sharing of Wes stories will continue at The Eagles located at 131 N. Clark Street following the funeral Mass.
Memorial donations can be made in honor of a faithful man who endlessly and fearlessly served in so many ways to:
• The Moyer Community Foundation (moyercommunityfoundation.com)
• St. Barbara’s Catholic Church (stbarbaracatholic.org).
