Wanda Hall

Wanda Lee Hall
July 13, 1928 - November 8, 2019

My mother lived with a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis that ravaged her body, crippled her hands and feet, and left her in unimaginable pain for over 52 years. Yet, she hardly complained. Friday night, November 8th, in the presence of her only son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, great-granddaughter and other loyal friends and family members, the Lord took my Mother by her restored and beautiful hands and reunited her with her husband of 66 years, her mother and daddy, siblings, friends and family in His Heavenly Kingdom. Now, finally free from pain.

Wanda Lee Hall, the youngest of 7 children born to Marion Augusta Price and Emma Peachie Texarkana Clayton Price, was born July 13, 1928 in Pocahontas, Arkansas. Her father was a sharecropper and local constable, her mother a homemaker. Although depression-era life was difficult and impoverished, her parents raised her with strong Christian faith and a work ethic common for the time. The family worked the cottonfields of northeast Arkansas during the day and gathered each evening to listen to her brothers play guitar and sing the mountain songs popular in the hills of the Bear State. Wanda left school after 9th grade to work beside the family, picking cotton that her father traded for food and other staples. She left home in her late teens and moved to St. Louis, Mo, where she worked as a part-time fashion model and food waitress before moving to Riverton, Wyoming to be near one of her brothers. There she waited tables at the Thunderbird Café where she met her future husband, Boyd Hall, a young ironworker whose Fontana, CA steel company had been working an irrigation project in Fremont County. Upon completing the job, Boyd moved back to Fontana and Wanda followed soon thereafter. In late 1949, he received his military induction notice, and in March 1950, while on leave, Boyd and Wanda were married in Yuma, Arizona, beginning a union that would last for more than 66 years. Their only child, Randall (Randy) was born in San Bernadino, CA in 1954. Boyd and Wanda and their infant son moved to Worland in 1955 to start a steel business, Teton Steel Company. While Boyd travelled Wyoming to provide for his family, Wanda tended to the home and her son, spending hours upon hours reading, singing and teaching him stories, songs and rhymes. Her attention to Randy encouraged his thirst for reading and learning. His life defined hers. She was there at every school function, play, program, dance and ball game - sometimes to the embarrassment of her son - but always in support of his achievements.

Boyd and Wanda relocated Teton Steel to Casper in 1964 and they acquired Pepper Tank & Contracting Company in 1967, growing that business into a successful fabrication company. Also, in 1967, Wanda was diagnosed with a crippling form of rheumatoid arthritis that would slowly and painfully steal her mobility, sight and hearing over the next 50-plus years. In 1977, Boyd and Wanda moved to Yuma, Arizona, where the warm climate would aide Wanda's advancing arthritic condition. Yet, despite it all, she maintained a stylish appearance and a positive outlook on life.

Randy's second cancer diagnosis in 1993 would bring them back to Casper, where they tended to their son and accompanied him to every appointment, procedure and follow-up check-up. Despite her own condition, Wanda was there for her son and consumed with his recovery.

She was a faithful and loyal wife, companion and business partner to Boyd for 66 years, until his death from Alzheimer's complications in November 2016.

Wanda spent the past four years in the Mountain Plaza Assisted Living Center. There she met many wonderful residents and caregivers. The last few years she was under constant care from Mel's Helping Hands and in her final days from Home Instead. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and caregivers who loved her and cared for her in the most compassionate and dignified manner. And gratitude, in particular, to Nadia Fries who rendered love and care for both Boyd and Wanda in their final years and provided gracious and self-respecting significance to Wanda's final days and hours. Many of them were present at her death. It was fitting that Wanda died in the arms of the one person that gave meaning to her life, her son, Randall. She will be forever missed.

Wanda L. Hall was preceded in death by both of her parents, infant brother, Robert Vincent, beloved brothers Robert Eselmon, Freeman Eugene, Duel, Norman "Bud" and sister Hattie MaryAnn.

She is survived by her beloved son Randall and daughter-in-law Michele; grandchildren, John, Jacinda (Chris) Denton, Vanessa (Kasey) Hardy and Jacque (Derek Francom), great grandchildren Ezra Michele (5), Belem Mae (3), Aydan Boyd (2), Ezekiel Lee (16 weeks), Zelah Ann (8 weeks) and Eselmon Peter (2 weeks). In addition to immediate family, Wanda is survived by several nieces and nephews including, Ronald Boyd Hall, Mollie Devore, Tom Hall, Marty Hall, Jim Price, Julie Carroll, Jane Bisbee, Terry Zink and Jerry Zink, as well as many other nephews, nieces and other friends who called her "Aunt Wanda".

Services will be held Friday, November 15, 2019 at 10:00 pm, at First Christian Church, 520 CY Avenue, Casper, followed by a public reception and private graveside services. There will be a public viewing Thursday evening from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Bustard's Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements are by Bustard's Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to First Christian Church earmarked for building maintenance, or the charity of the donor's choice.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: November 14, 2019 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Bustard's Funeral Home (Casper)
Address: 600 CY Avenue CASPER, WY 82601

Service

When: November 15, 2019 10:00am
Location: First Christian Church
Address: 520 CY Avenue CASPER, WY 82601

Interment

Location: Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery (Evansville)
Address: 80 Veterans Road EVANSVILLE, WY 82636