William R. Wernsmann

William Ralph Wernsmann September 12, 1951-October 6, 2024

Funeral Service will take place 10am at First United Methodist Church

302 E 2nd St

Casper, WY 82601

Friday, October 18th, 2024

William Ralph Wernsmann, 73 years old, of Casper Mountain, Wyoming, left this earth peacefully and quietly on October 6th, 2024, while Elk hunting with his beloved nephew Scott Wernsmann in the Bates Creek area of Wyoming. 

 Bill was born to Geraldine and Ralph Wernsmann on September 12th, 1951, in Huron, SD. He grew up on the Wernsmann family farm and ranch and attended high school at Fairview High in Polo, SD, infamously a little bit naughty, graduating in 1969. Bill went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Northern State College in 1973. He moved to Wyoming in 1974 to work as a chemist in the oil and gas industry for Petro Chem/American Mud, married, and had daughter, Erica. He transitioned to oil field sales and polymer development working for Allied Colloids. Bill was an accomplished chemist, developing, researching, testing, and applying for a US Patent which he received in 2007. He finished his career continuing with oil field sales working for Ciba where he would eventually meet and marry the love of his life and his best friend Michele. He spent five years living in Chesapeake, VA with Michele and her son Ben, until he fulfilled his lifelong dream of retiring on Casper Mountain, WY. Together Bill and Michele enjoyed traveling, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed hunting, exploring all the public access lands Wyoming has to offer, and was a firm supporter of keeping public spaces public. In addition to providing him an outlet to explore the outdoors, hunting provided him a deep connection to his friends. He spent countless hours in the woods and on the water with his wife, friends, siblings, granddaughters, nieces and nephews.

 It's unbelievably difficult to find the words to describe a man who was the most energetic, fun loving, and generous human because he had so much life left in him. Bill was a people person, he could talk with and befriend anyone removed from judgement and prejudice, he simply loved human connection. He found joy in helping others and was very generous with his time and energy. Bill was always quick to laugh, smile, and see the positive in challenging situations. He lived very much in the present, he gave you everything when he was with you, except when the Broncos were playing of course. He was our best friend, our Papa, our fun uncle, our brother, father, our mountain man, our caretaker, and the best husband to his forever love Michele.

 Bill is survived by his wife of 22 years Michele Wernsmann of Casper, WY, step-son Benjamin (Victoria) of Smithfield, VA, daughter Erica (Stephen) of Denver, CO, sister Joan (Lloyd) Simons of Pierre, SD, sister Karen (Richard) Schlaak of Pierre, SD, brother Mark (Liz) of Gillette, WY, brother Luke (Suzy) of Miller, SD, brother Anthony (Valerie) of Pierre, SD, granddaughters Estelle (11), Wren (8), and Alexandra (3) and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Geraldine Wernsmann.

In lieu of flowers please donate in Bill's name to any of these Wyoming conservation charities: 

Serving as a partner foundation to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, The WYldlife Fund is uniquely positioned to have a profound positive impact. Specializing in grant agreements, the Fund ensures precise and efficient allocation of resources on the ground to advance wildlife projects across Wyoming.  

Your donation ensures Wyoming Wildlife Federation is at the legislature fighting for healthy wildlife populations, intact habitats, and access for hunters and anglers https://wyomingwildlife.org/donating-member/

The mission of the Wyoming Wilderness Association (WWA) is to protect Wyoming public wildlands through advocacy, education, and stewardship. https://www.wildwyo.org/donate 

Rugged public lands. Clear blue skies. One-of-a-kind wildlife migrations. Endless opportunities for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. This is the Wyoming people know and love. This is the Wyoming we work to protect.     https://wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org/donate/ 

Wyoming Wildlife Advocates envision a Wyoming that leads the nation in exceptional and innovative wildlife management; all stakeholders are valued equally, and management decisions are driven by the best available science. As stewards of some of the most pristine wild habitat in the world, we believe that ecosystems must be managed to maximize biodiversity.