William Frederick Wampner

William “Bill” Frederick Wampner peacefully passed away in his home on July 24th, 2024.

He touched many lives with his big heart and kind nature. He was most recently preceded in death by his beloved bride Deloris June Wampner, who passed away June 30th of 2023. They were married for 63 years and are now reunited in their heavenly home. Bill was also preceded in death by his siblings Ruth, Jim, and Ron.

William Frederick Wampner was born in Marion, Indiana to Fred and Gertrude Wampner on June 30th, 1937. Bill was the first of six children. He was a hard worker from a young age, working several jobs such as a newspaper route, and shoveling and hauling coal with his father to help support his family. He played basketball for and graduated from Marion High School in 1956. Following that, he enlisted in the Army, where he played on the Armed Forces basketball team. 

In 1958 he met his soulmate and love of his life Dee, they later married in Colorado Springs on June 18th of 1960. He and Dee moved to Durango, Colorado to be close to her family and started a family of their own. Bill had the work ethic to succeed at anything he set his mind to. His most notably successful careers were working at Mercy Hospital for 17 years as their purchasing agent, then moving on to start his own office supply business, Office Outfitters. He later was the four corners representative for Sunland Sanitary Supply, from which he ‘retired’, but if you knew Bill he never really retired, he could never sit for long. 

Though Bill was successful during his time in the service and in his various professional pursuits, he was most proud of his marriage and family. In his words, “The best things I got to do in this life was be a husband and a father.” He took great pride in each of his children and saw them as his greatest accomplishment. When Bill retired he spent most of his time volunteering for his church, meals on wheels, Kiwanis club, enjoying his chores on their property, and traveling with Dee to see their children and grandchildren. He took great joy in working with his hands and was quite the skilled artisan in wood working. Bill spent many winter and summer days in the wood shop crafting, creating, and building, often times partnering with friends on bigger projects. 

William is survived in death by his four children Tonya (&Jim) Strider, Jeff (&Jodi) Wampner, Renee (&Robert) Patcheck, and Jon Wampner. As well as 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, his sisters Joyce Stevens, Carolyn Hileman, sister-in-law Sharon Driever, and his many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on August 24, 2024 at 11 AM. Reception to follow. We invite all who knew him to join us in remembering a truly remarkable man.