AUSTIN, Texas – William “Bill” Edward Vance, 82, passed away June 3, 2020, in Austin following a short battle with multiple myeloma.
Bill was born at the family home on March 2, 1938, the 10th of 11 children to Cecil Bradley and Carrie D. (Stevens) Vance and was raised in the Hawk Springs area.
He married Wilda Marie Brown on July 27, 1955. Children from this union were sons John Bradley and William “Bill” M. Vance and daughter Deidra Renee (Vance) Mowrey. After Wilda’s death in 2007, Bill married Vashti (Ballard) Hassinger on Sept. 4, 2009. They divorced in 2013.
His area employment ranged from a hired ranch hand, Torrington CalGas manager, farming and working at Holly Sugar for more than 20 years. Bill and Wilda retired from the family wheat farm south of Lyman, Neb., and returned to Cheyenne. Together they enjoyed travel, being “snowbirds” in Arizona. Two years ago Bill’s travel resumed with daughter Deirdre, a traveling nurse. They spent time in San Francisco, Phoenix and Austin.
He loved country and bluegrass music and a good polka. Even after losing a foot in a farm accident, he loved to dance. He could literally dance his (prosthetic) leg off. He loved all types of wood crafting, and made pens using multiple types of wood in his later years.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Wilda, son John Bradley and John’s wife, Tina Marie (McCloud) Vance; and three sisters.
He is survived by three sister and four brothers; son, Bill Vance (Brenda); daughter Deirdre Mowrey; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Private family burial will be in LaGrange.
Bill requested donations be made to Gracie’s Promise, P.O. Box 1366, Torrington WY. Gracie’s Promise is a non-profit organization supporting families with children having catastrophic illness.
