Funeral services were held for William W. Clapp on July 26, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church in Casper, where he was a member for 67 years. Mr. Clapp, 92 years of age, died at Wyoming Medical Center on July 21, 2010, after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Clapp was born in Buffalo, Wyoming on February 14, 1918 and moved to Salt Creek when he was six years old. His parents, Otto and Esta Clapp, had come to the area as pioneer homesteaders in Sussex, Wyoming. Bill, as he was known to family and friends, graduated from Midwest High School in 1937. He then spent six months with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Bill went on to work in the oil industry for 36 years, primarily as an electrician with Standard Oil Company (AMOCO). Among other special projects, he helped design and wire the Christmas cross prominently displayed at the Refinery for many years.
From August 1943 to November 1945, he served with the Navy Seabees in the US reoccupation of the Southern Pacific Islands. Bill was a Past Master of then Natrona Lodge No. 51 and continuing member of Independence Rock Lodge No. 56. He was a self-taught musician, artist, and inventor, who played multiple instruments, took up oil painting, and held a US Patent.
Bill's life centered around his family, friends and church. He served for many years as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church. In 1940, he married Fern Arnold, who had recently moved from Nebraska to Wyoming. Bill and Fern raised four children, Bill Jr. (Gaye), Larry (Carla Deville), Sheryl Barksdale, and Gordon (Lori). Sheryl's husband, John Barksdale, preceded him in death in December of 2008. All the children reside in the Casper area except for Bill Jr., who lives in Minneapolis. He is survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Fern preceded Bill in death in 1993 after struggling for many years with rheumatoid arthritis. Bill later had a special friend, Rachel Propp. Bill and Rae especially enjoyed dancing together at the Casper Senior Center.
Bill, who was the oldest of nine children, has four surviving siblings: Edna Garrett, Elaine (Walt) Hoshaw, Russell (Marty) Clapp and Leo (Lois) Clapp. Don, Byron, Bernice and Wyoma preceded him in death. Bill was extremely close to his brothers and sisters, frequently sharing visits and meals; along with daily computer contact, including Instant Messaging and SKYPE.
Bill and Fern initially lived in Mills, Wyoming. Bill served on the City Council and later as Mayor, where he took pride in organizing the first Mills Volunteer Fire Department and in overseeing the building of the first fire station. After living in Mills for thirteen years, the Clapps moved to Casper, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Bill was a gregarious, outgoing man with a wonderful sense of humor and an incisive wit. He was a caring, compassionate person who easily made friends and never forgot a name. He was a lifelong sportsman with an abiding interest in the outdoors. Much of his recreational time was spent hunting, fishing, hiking and exploring the relics of Western history. In his later years, he chronicled his life in an entertaining and educational narrative titled "Memoirs".
Even as his health was declining secondary to advancing heart disease, he enriched the community with many hours of volunteer work at the Western History Center at Casper College, where he helped identify faces captured in archival photographs. Through the years he blessed the lives of his family with tales of the Old West, spirited Western ballads, and a long-standing interest in still-life painting.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends who shared his life for over 92 years.
research courtesy of Contributor #48932308
Mr. Clapp was born in Buffalo, Wyoming on February 14, 1918 and moved to Salt Creek when he was six years old. His parents, Otto and Esta Clapp, had come to the area as pioneer homesteaders in Sussex, Wyoming. Bill, as he was known to family and friends, graduated from Midwest High School in 1937. He then spent six months with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Bill went on to work in the oil industry for 36 years, primarily as an electrician with Standard Oil Company (AMOCO). Among other special projects, he helped design and wire the Christmas cross prominently displayed at the Refinery for many years.
From August 1943 to November 1945, he served with the Navy Seabees in the US reoccupation of the Southern Pacific Islands. Bill was a Past Master of then Natrona Lodge No. 51 and continuing member of Independence Rock Lodge No. 56. He was a self-taught musician, artist, and inventor, who played multiple instruments, took up oil painting, and held a US Patent.
Bill's life centered around his family, friends and church. He served for many years as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church. In 1940, he married Fern Arnold, who had recently moved from Nebraska to Wyoming. Bill and Fern raised four children, Bill Jr. (Gaye), Larry (Carla Deville), Sheryl Barksdale, and Gordon (Lori). Sheryl's husband, John Barksdale, preceded him in death in December of 2008. All the children reside in the Casper area except for Bill Jr., who lives in Minneapolis. He is survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Fern preceded Bill in death in 1993 after struggling for many years with rheumatoid arthritis. Bill later had a special friend, Rachel Propp. Bill and Rae especially enjoyed dancing together at the Casper Senior Center.
Bill, who was the oldest of nine children, has four surviving siblings: Edna Garrett, Elaine (Walt) Hoshaw, Russell (Marty) Clapp and Leo (Lois) Clapp. Don, Byron, Bernice and Wyoma preceded him in death. Bill was extremely close to his brothers and sisters, frequently sharing visits and meals; along with daily computer contact, including Instant Messaging and SKYPE.
Bill and Fern initially lived in Mills, Wyoming. Bill served on the City Council and later as Mayor, where he took pride in organizing the first Mills Volunteer Fire Department and in overseeing the building of the first fire station. After living in Mills for thirteen years, the Clapps moved to Casper, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Bill was a gregarious, outgoing man with a wonderful sense of humor and an incisive wit. He was a caring, compassionate person who easily made friends and never forgot a name. He was a lifelong sportsman with an abiding interest in the outdoors. Much of his recreational time was spent hunting, fishing, hiking and exploring the relics of Western history. In his later years, he chronicled his life in an entertaining and educational narrative titled "Memoirs".
Even as his health was declining secondary to advancing heart disease, he enriched the community with many hours of volunteer work at the Western History Center at Casper College, where he helped identify faces captured in archival photographs. Through the years he blessed the lives of his family with tales of the Old West, spirited Western ballads, and a long-standing interest in still-life painting.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends who shared his life for over 92 years.
research courtesy of Contributor #48932308
Funeral services were held for William W. Clapp on July 26, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church in Casper, where he was a member for 67 years. Mr. Clapp, 92 years of age, died at Wyoming Medical Center on July 21, 2010, after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Clapp was born in Buffalo, Wyoming on February 14, 1918 and moved to Salt Creek when he was six years old. His parents, Otto and Esta Clapp, had come to the area as pioneer homesteaders in Sussex, Wyoming. Bill, as he was known to family and friends, graduated from Midwest High School in 1937. He then spent six months with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Bill went on to work in the oil industry for 36 years, primarily as an electrician with Standard Oil Company (AMOCO). Among other special projects, he helped design and wire the Christmas cross prominently displayed at the Refinery for many years.
From August 1943 to November 1945, he served with the Navy Seabees in the US reoccupation of the Southern Pacific Islands. Bill was a Past Master of then Natrona Lodge No. 51 and continuing member of Independence Rock Lodge No. 56. He was a self-taught musician, artist, and inventor, who played multiple instruments, took up oil painting, and held a US Patent.
Bill's life centered around his family, friends and church. He served for many years as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church. In 1940, he married Fern Arnold, who had recently moved from Nebraska to Wyoming. Bill and Fern raised four children, Bill Jr. (Gaye), Larry (Carla Deville), Sheryl Barksdale, and Gordon (Lori). Sheryl's husband, John Barksdale, preceded him in death in December of 2008. All the children reside in the Casper area except for Bill Jr., who lives in Minneapolis. He is survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Fern preceded Bill in death in 1993 after struggling for many years with rheumatoid arthritis. Bill later had a special friend, Rachel Propp. Bill and Rae especially enjoyed dancing together at the Casper Senior Center.
Bill, who was the oldest of nine children, has four surviving siblings: Edna Garrett, Elaine (Walt) Hoshaw, Russell (Marty) Clapp and Leo (Lois) Clapp. Don, Byron, Bernice and Wyoma preceded him in death. Bill was extremely close to his brothers and sisters, frequently sharing visits and meals; along with daily computer contact, including Instant Messaging and SKYPE.
Bill and Fern initially lived in Mills, Wyoming. Bill served on the City Council and later as Mayor, where he took pride in organizing the first Mills Volunteer Fire Department and in overseeing the building of the first fire station. After living in Mills for thirteen years, the Clapps moved to Casper, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Bill was a gregarious, outgoing man with a wonderful sense of humor and an incisive wit. He was a caring, compassionate person who easily made friends and never forgot a name. He was a lifelong sportsman with an abiding interest in the outdoors. Much of his recreational time was spent hunting, fishing, hiking and exploring the relics of Western history. In his later years, he chronicled his life in an entertaining and educational narrative titled "Memoirs".
Even as his health was declining secondary to advancing heart disease, he enriched the community with many hours of volunteer work at the Western History Center at Casper College, where he helped identify faces captured in archival photographs. Through the years he blessed the lives of his family with tales of the Old West, spirited Western ballads, and a long-standing interest in still-life painting.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends who shared his life for over 92 years.
research courtesy of Contributor #48932308
Mr. Clapp was born in Buffalo, Wyoming on February 14, 1918 and moved to Salt Creek when he was six years old. His parents, Otto and Esta Clapp, had come to the area as pioneer homesteaders in Sussex, Wyoming. Bill, as he was known to family and friends, graduated from Midwest High School in 1937. He then spent six months with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Bill went on to work in the oil industry for 36 years, primarily as an electrician with Standard Oil Company (AMOCO). Among other special projects, he helped design and wire the Christmas cross prominently displayed at the Refinery for many years.
From August 1943 to November 1945, he served with the Navy Seabees in the US reoccupation of the Southern Pacific Islands. Bill was a Past Master of then Natrona Lodge No. 51 and continuing member of Independence Rock Lodge No. 56. He was a self-taught musician, artist, and inventor, who played multiple instruments, took up oil painting, and held a US Patent.
Bill's life centered around his family, friends and church. He served for many years as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church. In 1940, he married Fern Arnold, who had recently moved from Nebraska to Wyoming. Bill and Fern raised four children, Bill Jr. (Gaye), Larry (Carla Deville), Sheryl Barksdale, and Gordon (Lori). Sheryl's husband, John Barksdale, preceded him in death in December of 2008. All the children reside in the Casper area except for Bill Jr., who lives in Minneapolis. He is survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Fern preceded Bill in death in 1993 after struggling for many years with rheumatoid arthritis. Bill later had a special friend, Rachel Propp. Bill and Rae especially enjoyed dancing together at the Casper Senior Center.
Bill, who was the oldest of nine children, has four surviving siblings: Edna Garrett, Elaine (Walt) Hoshaw, Russell (Marty) Clapp and Leo (Lois) Clapp. Don, Byron, Bernice and Wyoma preceded him in death. Bill was extremely close to his brothers and sisters, frequently sharing visits and meals; along with daily computer contact, including Instant Messaging and SKYPE.
Bill and Fern initially lived in Mills, Wyoming. Bill served on the City Council and later as Mayor, where he took pride in organizing the first Mills Volunteer Fire Department and in overseeing the building of the first fire station. After living in Mills for thirteen years, the Clapps moved to Casper, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Bill was a gregarious, outgoing man with a wonderful sense of humor and an incisive wit. He was a caring, compassionate person who easily made friends and never forgot a name. He was a lifelong sportsman with an abiding interest in the outdoors. Much of his recreational time was spent hunting, fishing, hiking and exploring the relics of Western history. In his later years, he chronicled his life in an entertaining and educational narrative titled "Memoirs".
Even as his health was declining secondary to advancing heart disease, he enriched the community with many hours of volunteer work at the Western History Center at Casper College, where he helped identify faces captured in archival photographs. Through the years he blessed the lives of his family with tales of the Old West, spirited Western ballads, and a long-standing interest in still-life painting.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends who shared his life for over 92 years.
research courtesy of Contributor #48932308
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