William Christopher Wayte: 1943 – 2023
William Christopher Wayte passed away on August 12, 2023 as his wife held his hand. He was born on February 9, 1943 in Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Massachusetts to Alfred Edwin Wayte and Helen Ann Maroney Wayte.
Bill, as he was known to most, attended Catholic schools in Northampton and graduated from St. Michael’s Catholic High School in 1961 where he played basketball and baseball. In his youth he enjoyed fishing, ice hockey, and Boy Scouts, where he achieved Eagle Scout. After graduation, he attended Cambridge School of Business/Communication in Boston, MA where he played basketball and received an Associate Degree in Communications in 1963. He joined the Air Force that year and was stationed at George Air Force Base, California. His job as an illustrator required top secret clearance and he was part of the 8th TAC Fighter Wing.
Bill spent most of his career in the food industry in managerial positions. A quote from his Air Force superior about Bill’s strengths seemed to foreshadow his path: “Airman Wayte’s ability to get along with all around him have been of great value in controlling an extremely heavy workload. He secures the maximum degree of production under stress through his ability to promote harmony and his understanding of human relations.”
Before retiring, he worked for Huddle House Restaurants as VP of Real Estate and Development traveling to choose sites and advise franchisees.
He met Nancy Carol Frazier from East Point, Georgia, at the wedding of a mutual friend in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1966. The next January he was discharged from the Air Force and headed to Georgia where they were married on August 12, 1967. Two children were born there, Marabeth in 1969 and Adam in 1972. They lived in several subdivisions in the Atlanta area, River Oak Village and Hamilton Mill, where golf and tennis were the major pastimes. Many friends were made during these years and reunions were special. Golf, tennis, reading, cards, horse racing, cruises and traveling were pastimes he enjoyed as well as watching his favorite sports teams on television or attending in person.
An unplanned move came after retirement. Their children had moved to Wyoming and established themselves in Casper, Wyoming. When grandchildren started arriving, it was evident the distance between them was too great so they moved west. Besides five grandchildren, the biggest change was to decide to buy the only neighborhood grocery left in Casper, Grant Street Grocery and Market. Owning the 80 year old store became a highlight of Bill’s life. He continued the history of delivering groceries and having charge accounts for the established customers. They operated the family owned store for eight years and met the challenges of creating a unique place with gourmet sandwiches, wheels of imported cheese and items unavailable at other stores in town. Grant Street Grocery and Market was added to the National Historic Register, making it a destination spot. He loved to tease the kids that came in and made friends with many customers. After 20 years in Casper, they moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida near Nancy’s sister to help take care of her mother and aunt.
Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Marabeth Kopp (Jim) of Casper, WY; son, Adam Wayte (Arlene) of Casper, WY; sister-in-law, Kathy Taylor (Stuart) of Tarpon Springs, FL; grandchildren, Evan Wayte, Emerson Kopp, Hawkins Kopp, Nolan Wayte, and Stella Wayte.
Burial date will be at the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery in Casper, WY to be announced later.
Memorial donations can be made to a veteran’s organization of your choice in his honor.
Virginia H. Bila: 1925 – 2023
Virginia H. Bila, 98, of Casper, Wyoming passed away Monday, August 28, 2023.
Virginia Lucille Heil was born February 20, 1925 in Seward, Nebraska and lived in Bayard, Nebraska. She graduated from high school in 1943 and then spent 2 years in Grand Island making bombs during World War II. Virginia then moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she spent four hours a day attending classes and then working for eight hours; she did this for two years. She graduated with a degree from Felt & Terri.
Virginia married Raymond Ludick Bila on January 18, 1947. They were married for 61 years until his passing in 2008. The couple lived in Wheatland, Douglas, Rawlins, Casper, and Riverton and had four children.
She enjoyed living at Mountain Plaza Assisted Living, because she enjoyed meeting people and making friends. Virginia spent her time knitting caps.
Virginia is survived by children: Raymond, Jr.; Steve; Mike; and Rita; as well as nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Anna Mae Boston: 1934 – 2023
Born on December 30, 1934 in Almartha Missouri to Clarence and Lola Boston. She was the fourth of five children.
She grew up in the Lusk and Lance Creek area of Wyoming. She shared many childhood stories. One was about how she stuck up for her younger brother when a kid pushed him down in a snow bank. She got a hold of the bully and had depantsed him. (You know who you are).
In 1957, at the age of 22, she began work as a long-distance operator for Pacific Bell in Los Angeles, California. Over the next year, she also worked at General Telephone CO. as an operator in Santa Monica, California (These were the days when an operator had to connect phone calls by switchboard).
This is where she met her life long friend, Olga in 1970. Annamae took Olga and her husband under her wing, not only at work, but as a good friend, mentor and football viewing buddy. Later Anna Mae was promoted to staticitition and transferred back to Pacific Bell in L.A.
Annamae told many stories about her time as an operator. Oh, the things she overheard. For instance, the little boy who told her that his dad couldn’t come to the phone because he was ” In the bathroom washing his balls.” “GOLF BALLS!” his mother yelled in the background. Annamae laughed so hard she fell out of her chair.
During this time she took loving care of her mother until Lola passed in 1974. She moved to North Hollywood until her retirement in 2000, after 43 years with Pacific Bell.
Annamae always said that her 43 years at “the phone company” were her best years. She had earned great respect and adoration from her supervisors and peers and was very proud of her accomplishments. She kept her awards proudly framed and on her walls.
She was a very good and loyal friend. A loving daughter, sister, and aunt. She was a protector of “the underdogs” (even if they didn’t know it).
She moved to Casper in 2000 after she retired, and she lived with her sister, Martha, until Martha’s passing
She was independent and strong, yet kind and always helpful toward others, and quite humble. She was an amazing cook and baker and had a deep love for animals. She loved to crochet and made beautiful crochet dolls which she donated.
Annamae moved to Mountain Plaza Assisted Living in 2019 with her dog, Sugar. Here, she made many friends and was loved by residents and staff. She enjoyed bingo, music (she always said she couldn’t sing, so don’t ask her), movies, reading and old westerns on T.V. She spent warm days in the courtyard playing with Sugar and all the other dogs (Oh, and their owners, too.)
Anna Mae passed away at Mountain Plaza Assisted Living on August 23, 2023 with her “dear friend”, Wendy by her side.
She is survived by five nephews; one niece; their families, and two sisters-in-law. Also survived by dearest friends of 53 years, Olga and Lance Mueller.
She is predeceased by her parents; and siblings: David, Martha, James and Doran; two nieces, and dogs from most recent years: Rambo, ShadowGirl, Sugar and Colby and cats Zach and Spinner.
Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be interred with her parents at Memorial Gardens, Casper.
Many thanks go to all the residents and staff at Mountain Plaza Assisted living for accepting the real lady that was Anna Mae. Thanks to Enhabit Hospice staff who treated her with compassion and dignity. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
Memorial donations may be made to the Casper Humane Society, who blessed her with loving animals.
Harry Wayne Dobbs: 1932 – 2023
Harry “Wayne” Dobbs passed away on August 29, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky at the age of 90. He was born November 10, 1932 in Marshall County, West Virginia to Harry Gordon Dobbs and Bessie Lulu Dobbs (West). He spent his childhood in Moundsville West Virginia. Wayne was in the US Army during the Korean War. He attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, and graduated from Central Tech Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. He started working for Western Airlines in Casper, Wyoming and then later with Delta Airlines in Idaho Falls, Idaho retiring after 36 years. He loved to travel and fully enjoyed his airline benefits all his life.
For many years he would fly to Alaska to join his “SuperFish” buddies on the magnificent fishing vessel, the Unicorn. He proudly decorated his walls with 11 fishing World Record plaques as well as a few prized fish mounts. He was an excellent golfer and was on the Idaho Falls Senior League, where he usually “took” his buddies quarters when playing a round of golf.
He married Sally Lou Sleeger, June 11, 1960 in Casper, Wyoming. They had a son, Larry Dean Dobbs and a daughter, Erin Kay Sheppard (Bob). They were married for 29 years before Sally passed away in 1989.
Wayne waited 22 years to remarry. He was united in marriage to French born Ghyslaine “GiGi” Fanto from Rouen France on February 14, 2011, a dear family friend that brought him much happiness, love and support. They spent their summers together in Idaho Falls Idaho and winters in Medford, Oregon.
Wayne is loved by many. He always had a tale to tell, a story to share and a smile that would light up a room. He gave the biggest hugs to everyone he met.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Nancy Evelyn and Anna Mae Swierkos; three brothers, David Beryl (Dudge), Chester Harold and Donald Dobbs; as well as his grandson, Jory Wayne Coffman.
He is survived by his wife, Ghyslaine “GiGi”; his children, Larry and Erin; step-children, Michelle Fanto-Chan (Bill), John Fanto (Kathy) and Jeanine Fanto Healy(Don); grandchildren, Amy Reece, Sarah Coffman-Bruce and Mitch Coffman; three great-grandchildren, Sylvester and Jamos Reece, and Noah Bruce.
He spent his last remaining months under the exemplary care and attention provided by the family at the Beehive Homes of Smyrna. They are truly angels here on earth for their loving care over Wayne and we are so thankful for their love and support.
There will be a small family gathering in West Virginia to celebrate his wonderful life at a later date. The family asks in lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Lung Association or Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.
Ryan Andrew Rosty: 1990 – 2023
Ryan Andrew Rosty came rip roaring into the world alongside his built in best friend, Samuel on June 12, 1990. Since that day, the Rosty boys were a team, a force to be reckoned with.
As Ryan grew, he discovered his true calling, being of service to others. Ryan was the person you called when you needed an extra hand, and he was always happy to help, no questions asked. However the true gift Ryan unknowingly created was the physical reminders we will have of him, all around us. In our homes we have projects that were built with the help of Ryan’s hands, on our next camping trips the campfire will remind us of his playful laughter and when we go fishing we will remember to be silly. For all of us who truly knew Ryan, even just a little, we lost a shining light.
Ryan was born in Casper Wyoming to Shari Klincko Skaj and Vincent Rosty. He was born ready to take on the world and even more ready for the challenge. The fire inside of Ryan burned fiercely and drove him to live life to the fullest everyday. He never met a stranger anywhere he went, swapping stories with fine points and vigor, and making people smile.
Ryan had a passion for camping with his family, extreme fishing and the Denver Broncos. His passions were shared by those around him and have created decades of fond, sometimes colorful memories, for us to carry with us on the rest of our journeys.
Ryan Rosty’s 33 years of work on this earth ended August 25, 2023.
Ryan is survived by his greatest accomplishments, his children, Mason and Kylee. He glowed with pride whenever speaking of them and they were undoubtedly the best part of his life. Ryan is also survived by his adoring mother Shari; partner in crime and twin brother, Samuel (Linda Rorabaugh); loving partner Lindsay Martin; Aunt Kim and Uncle Peter Bartz; cousins, Stacey (Paul) Hult, Trish (Bo) Bilek and Jacob (Holly) Bartz.
Ryan (Uncle Ry Ry) is also survived by his five nieces and two nephews, whom he loved with all his heart.
He was greeted warmly by his father after exiting this earthly realm. Ryan was a prince, a fighter, and faithful companion. He is finally at rest. Ryan was loved with an immeasurable passion by all those he left behind. We hold him close within us and ask you to do the same. All people die, but not all people live. Yet that’s what Ryan did.
He lived.
Stephen “Steve” Francis Skaj: 1965 – 2023
Stephen F. Skaj, 58, of Casper, Wyoming passed away Friday, August 25, 2023.
He was born on May 14, 1965 in Casper, Wyoming to Nicholas and Catherine Skaj. One of nine children, he attended St. Anthony’s School, Dean Morgan and graduated from Natrona County High School in 1983.
After school Stephen worked for City of Casper, BNSF Railroad, Rissler McMurray, Crown Energy, Key Energy and currently worked at CMI-TECO.
Steve met Shari in 1998 and they married on October 7, 2000.
Steve had a love of motor sports, restoration of classic trucks, mud bogging, and anything to do with a motor. He always had a presence at the speedway or any car show around town. Steve will be remembered as being a hard worker and always keeping busy. Steve always thought “his tractor was sexy” and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was known in his community of Dempsey Acres for being a great neighbor, always willing to lend a hand or an ear. He never met a stranger and was so very easy to talk with. He will be greatly missed by everyone
A Memorial Mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 9, 2023 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
