William R. McCormick

William R. McCormick

February 21, 1934 – December 21, 2025

William R. McCormick, age 91, died peacefully in Cody on December 21, 2025. He was born on February 21, 1934, to Sarah Pauline and James Willard McCormick in Culbertson, Montana.

He graduated from Three Forks High School in 1952, served during the Korean War, and graduated from Montana State College as a civil engineer. He married Phyllis Lane on June 15th, 1957.

His career with the Bureau of Reclamation took him to Sacramento, California, Dillon and Conrad Montana, Grand Coulee Dam, Washington, and Buena Vista, Colorado. He completed his career as the project manager at the Buffalo Bill Dam in Cody, Wyoming in 1994.

He was a member of the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Bill was very civic minded and volunteered for the Cody Recreation Center, the Riley Ice Arena, the Park County Law Enforcement Center, the Mentock Skateboard Park, the Boys and Girls Club, the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center, Special Olympics, and the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather Max Makoff, in addition to siblings Robert, James, George, Peggy, Roger, Ralph, and step siblings Edward, Donald, Mickey, Victor, Josephine, and Maxine. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis, and son in law Charles Shelby.

He is survived by his four children: Kathleen Spangler, Tim McCormick (Marty), Ann Shelby, and Dan McCormick (Kim), and grandchildren Robert, Christina, Emma, Nora, and Max.

If desired, contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Cody or to The Special Olympics in Bill's memory.

A service will be held at later date.