William J. Laya

SHERIDAN, Wyo. - William J. Laya passed away at the Sheridan VA Medical Center, in the presence of his family, on June 9, 2014. "Bill" was born in Kleenburn, Wyo., on Sept. 1, 1930, the son of Joseph T. and Mary (Michalek) Laya. He was a proud lifelong resident of Sheridan County.

As a boy, Bill spent many happy days around the Monarch and Acme area, where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brother Jerry. Bill played ice hockey on the Tongue River in the winters and swam with his sisters in the summer. Bill was nicknamed "Angel" as a child because of his close brushes with death, including a rattlesnake bite and falling from Tongue River bridge into the river after touching a power line.

Bill graduated from Sheridan High School in 1949 having served as class president and student body president. He joined the Wyoming National Guard and was called to serve in the Medical Corps during the Korean War as a member of the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. On June 9, 1951, he saved the lives of four men near Sanghok, Korea, while moving through flying shell fragments. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor Device. On the 63rd anniversary of Bill's courageous rescue, he passed away. The years in between have truly been a gift from God.

When he returned, he earned a degree in pharmacy from the University of Wyoming. On July 23, 1955, he married Joyce J. Linse at Holy Name Church, and together they raised six children. Bill was a successful business man operating several pharmacies in Sheridan, Rawlins and Douglas, Wyo., and Texas. His compassionate spirit carried over into his work, where he would take trade items and extend credit to customers without the ability to pay for their medicines, knowing full well he may never be paid. After over 50 years of service to the community, he retired in 2006.

He served as a Sheridan County commissioner for 12 years, from 1972 to 1983, with 10 of those years as chairman of the board. He was instrumental in expanding the Sheridan County Airport, the county courthouse addition, the building of the Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library and the senior citizens center. County employees received health insurance and retirement benefits for the first time during his tenure in office.

He was involved in many other organizations but was most pleased to be a lifelong member of Holy Name Parish and was able to serve as a trustee. From humble beginnings, Bill was always a champion of the underdog and disadvantaged. His kind and generous spirit was always willing to help others in need. Bill loved reading and vegetable gardening, especially growing tomatoes, and spending time on his ranch. A meal for him was not complete without mashed potatoes. He loved traveling and visited Jamaica, Brazil, England, Italy and Poland.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joan Simmons, brother Jerry Laya , grandson Gus Spanos, and brothers-in-law Richard Pilch and Gordon Simmons.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Joyce (Linse) Laya; his sister Beverly Peckham (Joel) of Sheridan; children, Dr. Mary Laya, (John Adams) of Seattle, Wash., Dr. Joe Laya, (Debbie) of Redding, Calif., Dr. Tom Laya, of Sheridan, Valerie Spanos (Jim) of Buffalo, Wyo., Karen Turner (Curtis) of Sandy, Utah, Kathleen Laya (Joaquim Ferrari) of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; grandchildren Katie, Nick and Olivia Spanos, Shelley and Lauren Laya, Jacob, David and Andrew Turner, and Maria Chiara Laya-Ferrari; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be at 6 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, at Kane Funeral Home. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 13, at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Ron Stolcis officiating. Interment will be in the Elks Memorial Cemetery. A reception will follow at the parish hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph's Society Clergy Retirement Fund at P.O. Box 1468, Cheyenne, WY 82001.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.