William Martin Whelchel

William "Bill" Martin Whelchel, 77, of Wheatland, Wyoming, passed away on April 28, 2025, at Anschutz Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, surrounded by family. 

Bill was born in Perry, Iowa, the eldest of eight children. He graduated from Hobbs High School in 1966 and went on to serve in the United States Navy, where he was stationed in San Diego, CA. 

He married Donna Whelchel on October 27, 1967, in Hobbs, New Mexico. Together they had three children: Russ, Randy, and Denise. The family lived in California for several years, moving from San Diego to Long Beach before relocating to Wyoming in 1978. They settled in Wheatland in early 1979. Bill and Donna divorced in 1984. 

When first living in Wyoming, Bill worked at an iron ore mine in Sunrise, WY, as well as a few other odd jobs. He started working at the Laramie River Station power plant in Wheatland in 1979, spending most of his time there as a Mechanic/Welder until his retirement in 2010. 

His favorite hobbies were bowling and golfing with his family and friends. 

He married Judy Lizakowski on August 19, 1989, blending their family with her three children: Liz, Angie, and Nathan. After retirement, Bill & Judy purchased a home in Lake Havasu, AZ, and enjoyed spending their winters in the warm retirement community. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, William (Jim) and Pat Whelchel, and brothers, Gene and Richard Whelchel. He is survived by his siblings: Jack Whelchel and Stephen Whelchel of Des Moines, IA; Patti Ann Ancell of Lovington, NM; Anastasia Whelchel of Irving, TX; and Julia Bradley of Hobbs, NM. 

Surviving children and their families include: 

● Russ Whelchel (Dawn) of Marshall, TX 

● Randy Whelchel (Summer) of Wheatland, WY, and their children: Taran Whelchel of Wheatland, WY; Skylar Ferris (Jason) of Columbia, TN; and Serenity Whelchel of Petersburg, KY 

● Denise Whelchel (James) of Decatur, TX, and their children: Gideon Shouse, Tyberius, Phoebe, and Tobias Cross 

● Liz Bagshaw (Jeff) of Firestone, CO, and their children: Brook Stivason (Angel) of Castroville, TX, and Ally Bagshaw of Milliken, CO 

● Angie Frailey (Randy) of Castle Rock, CO, and their children: Autumn Frailey-Reimer of Hecla, SD, and Austin, Mason, and Caden Frailey of Castle Rock, CO 

● Nathan Lizakowski (Nicole) of Broomfield, CO, and their son, Chase Lizakowski

● Great-grandchildren: Braxton and Zealand Stivason; Nevaeh, Ember, Kennedi, Amara, and Silas Reimer 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Wheatland Bible Church in Wheatland, Wyoming.

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