Passings

Clyde E. Bower

Clyde Edward “Butch” Bower, 78, died April 15, at the Central Wyoming Hospice Home in Casper, Wyoming, with his wife of 55 years by his side, following a long battle with dementia.

Bower was born on July 21, 1944, to Bruce Eugene and Dessie (Weller) Bower, in Douglas, Wyoming. He attended school in Douglas, where he also met and married his wife, Connie Marie York. Together they had two children, daughter Tammy and son Clint.

Bower worked for the Wyoming Department of Transportation on the Construction Tech crew and retired after more than 38 years.

He also served in the Wyoming National Guard and retired as a Staff Sergeant following 21 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the Casper Elks Lodge No. 1353.

A favorite thing to do was spend time at his cabin in the mountains. He also enjoyed hunting, spending time outdoors and watching old westerns and football. He was known to get a shiny new truck every two years.

Beyond that tough exterior, he had a heart of gold and would help anyone in need.

Funeral services were held April 21 at the Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel in Douglas, Wyoming. Interment was in the Douglas Park Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Samuel Mares American Legion Post No. 8 and Wyoming Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Wyoming Dementia Care, 2546 East Second Street, Suite 602, Casper, Wyoming 82609 or Central Wyoming Hospice Home, 219 South Wilson Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601.

Wayne L. Meese

Wayne Leslie Meese, 78, died April 5 at his home in Cheyenne. He was born on October 15, 1944, in Cheyenne to Clarence and Margaret (Weaver) Meese. He was welcomed by an older sister, Avis.

Meese worked as an assistant utilities officer for the Wyoming Department of Transportation for more than 39 years. He also served as a Laramie County Sheriff’s Department reserve deputy for 40 years and retired as a reserve captain. His volunteerism continued in 2006 when he joined Wyoming State Parks as a reserve park ranger and recently retired in February 2023.

Meese was an NRA certified handgun instructor and assisted in teaching students how to shoot through the LCCC handgun class for many years.

Celebration of life was held at Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home April 10. He was interred at Mountain View Memorial Park.

Richard L. Siddle

Richard Lee “Dick” Siddle, 87, died March 20 at Westview Healthcare Center in Sheridan.

Siddle was born on October 13, 1935, in Cody, to H. Elbert and Alice Bates Siddle. He joined his older brother Herbert and they resided on the Siddle Family Ranch on Dry Creek near the Shoshone River.

He was an outstanding athlete at Cody High School, being a state champion wrestler for coach Glen Mangus. He served as captain of the wrestling team his senior year in 1954.

Being a strong Cody Bronc football player and track athlete as well, he was named Cody High School Outstanding

Athlete in 1954 and was presented the award by Milward Simpson. He went on to wrestle at the University of Wyoming prior to joining the U.S. Army.

After returning from the Army, he married Norma Bronnenberg in 1960. They had one son, Nick Lee Siddle, and raised him on the new family place, just a half mile down the road from the original family ranch. They instilled in him a love of agriculture and wildlife, hunting, fishing and rodeo. They later divorced in 1977.

Siddle spent 33 years working for the Wyoming Highway Department where he was a construction supervisor, surveyor and bridge inspector. He spent much time in Cooke City while working on the Chief Joseph and Beartooth highways.

He was a tremendous rodeo athlete, horse trainer, shoer and packer. Many autumns were spent as an outstanding hunting guide for both the Siggins Triangle X, and for Jim Patrick on the Belknap Ranch. He was proud to be an honorary member of Cody High School Rodeo Club, the Buffalo Bill FFA and the Wyoming FFA Association.

Siddle later married Judy Hetland, and they embarked on many traveling adventures, going to both Hawaii and Alaska several times and attending the National Finals Rodeo and the PBR Finals many times. Several of these trips included one or both of Siddle’s grandchildren, Troy and Kelly.

He rarely missed a ball game, musical event, livestock show or any other event that involved the grandchildren. He taught them both outstanding horsemanship skills and spent as much time with them as he could. He was an exceptional grandfather.

A memorial and inurnment will occur in Cody at a later date.

Memorials can be made in memory of Dick Siddle at Wyoming FFA Foundation, P.O. Box 7311, Sheridan, WY, 82801.

Online condolences may be written at Kanefuneral.com.