Raymond "Willie" Sterkel

Funeral services for RAYMOND ‘WILLIE’ STERKEL, 88, will be held at 10am Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at the First Congregational Church with Reverend Matt Gordon officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Willie passed away peacefully at his home on January 22, 2014. Memorials in his honor may be sent to the First Congregational Church or the 4-H dog program. Visitation will be Monday at the funeral home from 3pm to7pm and the casket will be open prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com. Willie was born November 24, 1925 at Cottier, Wyoming the son of Alex and Katherine (Yeakel) Sterkel. He grew up on family farms in South Dakota, Texas, and Nebraska. He attended the Sunflower School near Mitchell, Nebraska until his family moved to Lingle, Wyoming where he attended school up to the eighth grade. On April 21, 1944 Willie joined the US Army and received an honorable discharge in November of that same year because of an injured arm received in his childhood. On November 25, 1945, one day after his 20th birthday he married Rachel Schlagel. Together they farmed in the Lingle area, then Douglas, Wyoming, and later in Huntley, Wyoming. In 1948 he began working for Schlitz Distributing until his retirement in 1987. Upon retirement he drove school bus for the Goshen County Schools. He lived in Torrington for fifty-four years. Willie was a member of the First Congregational Church, proudly serving as a church deacon for a couple of terms. He was also very of his Certificate of Continuous Membership of 70 years with the American Legion Post 63 in Lingle, Wyoming. Willie enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and being with his family. He will be remembered as always friendly and smiling, and you won’t find anyone as proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren as Willie. Willie is survived by his wife Rachel; one son Donald Sterkel of Lakeside, Arizona; one daughter Connie Packard of Torrington; local grandchildren Nicole and Jordan Cattin; great grandchildren Taylor and Cooper Cattin of Yoder, Wyoming; from Arizona one grandson, two granddaughters, and twelve great grandchildren; two brothers Ted (Barb) Sterkel and LeRoy (Betty Jane) Sterkel; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Alex and Katherine Sterkel; brothers Harry and Benny Sterkel; sister Betty Jane Morgheim; and one infant daughter Diane Lydia.

Raymond "Willie" Sterkel

November 24, 1925 - January 22, 2014