William "Bill" Joseph Williams

William "Bill" Joseph Williams, 85, a longtime resident of Rawlins, WY, currently of Forest Grove, OR passed away peacefully with his family beside him on Oct 14, 2019.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church on May 30, 2020. Interment will follow and then a light lunch will be served at the church.
Bill was born on October 1, 1934 in Belleville, KS. He was the oldest of two sons born to William C. and Hazel E. (Weir) Williams. In his childhood Bill's family moved around a lot as his father followed a better future for the family. Bill graduated from Natrona County High School in Casper, WY in 1952 and then attended University of Wyoming where he attained a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts. Bill later received a Masters degree in this field as well.
He met his future wife, Kay Pohler, While in college on a blind date, they soon began dating and later were married at Kay's parents home in Glenrock, WY. They made their home in Casper, WY then Laramie, WY and then shortly thereafter moved to Rawlins WY. In 2016 they made their way to McMinnville, OR to be closer to their daughter. In 2019 they moved to Forest Grove.
Bill was an art teacher/educator at Rawlins High School in Rawlins, WY. He retired in 1996. He was an active member of the Rawlins Teachers Association and  a past president of the Wyoming Education Association.
Photography was a hobby of Bills and later he established "Big Tree Photos and Art Work" A business in which he took many photos of the natural beauty of mountains, flowers and trees. He also photographed many weddings and school pictures. He loved painting, drawing and creating things. He built a rustic cabin at their "get away" property in the Snowy Range Mountains. His summers were busy working part time jobs which included painting homes with other faculty members.  He was an avid Bronco fan, was an elder at Christ Lutheran Church, and also a participant of the prison ministry. Bill loved the outdoors, which included camping, fishing, hunting, riding his motorcycle and four wheeler.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother; Robert Williams
He is survived by his loving wife, Kay, three children and their spouses; Kimberly and Charles Lovato of Forest Grove, David and Doreen Williams of Boulder Creek, CA, John Williams of Boulder Creek, CA, four grandchildren; Erika, Phillip, Jason and Shasta and one great grandson; Isaac.