William Francis Ramsdell

Memorial Services for William Ramsdell, age 83 of Gillette, WY will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 17, 2015 at American Legion in Gillette, WY with Chaplin Dewayne Lien officiating. William F. Ramsdell age 83, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Close to Home Hospice. William (Wild Bill) Francis Ramsdell was born August 14, 1931 in Onleyville, Rhode Island to the late Edward and Edna Ramsdell. He graduated from Hope High School in Providence and entered the Military in 1952 during the Korean Conflict. He served in the US Army for 22 years and retired in 1974 at Colorado Springs, CO. He was a member of the elite Special Forces, 173d Airborne Brigade and the 75th Ranger Infantry. Bill furthered his education through the attendance of many Military schools. He was stationed in Fort Benning, GA, Germany, France, Panama, Fort Bragg, NC, Logan Station, PA, Fort Carson, CO, and served in Vietnam. He had worked and visited a host of other countries. In 1975, Bill entered college. He received his AA Degree and moved on to USC in Pueblo, CO where he completed a BS Composite Degree. In 1976, he separated from his first wife and they divorced in 1978. While in college, Bill met Karin Pettersson (Lane) and they were married in July of 1978.From 1978-1982, Bill worked for Fish and Wildlife as a YACC Camp Residential Officer in Nekoma, North Dakota. When the camp closed in 1982; he retired from Civil Service and worked as a substitute teacher in Langdon, North Dakota. From 1983-1985, Bill worked as a Job Corps Reading teacher in Fort Simcoe, WA. From 1985-1987 Bill entered into a 2 year Intern Program for the US Army ACES program in Germany. From 1987-1994 he worked as a Guidance Counselor, Test Administrator and Education Services Officer. While in Germany, Bill was enrolled in the Boston University Masters Counseling Degree Program. In 1994 he was transferred to Fort Bragg, for a short tenure with the Army Education Center. In 1996 he returned to Germany and worked in Hohenfels as a Counselor and then Education Center Director until his retirement in 1998.Bill was active in several fraternal organizations to include; American Legion/VFW Post 7156 of Gillette, WY, the SF Decade Association, the 75th Ranger Association, ASMIC Insignia Collectors, The Literary Guild, Pathfinder Association, the USA Military History Institute and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). William is survived by his son; Walter D. Ramsdell of Lawton, OK, daughter; Linda A. Coss of Shreveport, LA, stepchildren; Eva M. Campbell of Gillette, WY and Thomas E. Lane of Idar-Oberstein, Germany, sisters; Hope A. Price and Dolores Shorts of E. Providence, RI, Grandchildren; Christina and David Campbell, Anjelika, Amber and Allyn Ramsdell, Jason Coss and Cody Lane, a host of cousins, other family members and a few good friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and his beloved wife of 33 years; Karin Linnea. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, and WY 82716 or via website: www.walkerfuneralgillette.com Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716