William Franklin Bartholomew – Bill, Bart, Dad, Grandpa, Billy – passed away on November 2, 2024, in Casper, Wyoming, surrounded by his loving family. The longtime Lander resident was 77.
Bill was born on March 29, 1947, to Melvin Bartholomew and Shirley (Pierson) Bartholomew in Laramie, WY. The family worked in the logging industry, and Bill spent many of his early years in the Fox Park and Woods Landing areas with siblings Charles, Kenton, and Dorthy.
Eventually, both of his parents remarried which gave Bill several step siblings: Kenneth Osborne, Erle Osborne, Janice Baker, Sharon Palmer, and Linda Crippen.
In 1960, Bill’s family moved to Lander, and he would call the valley home for the remainder of his life. He graduated in 1966 from Fremont County Vocational High School. On October 22, 1966, Bill married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Rosie May Lopez. The couple had two daughters, Toni and Patricia.
Hardworking, extremely supportive, and above all, reliable, Bill was a great father. He spent much of his adulthood working as a mechanic for US Steel near Atlantic City, WY. When the steel mine shut down in 1983, Bill decided to pursue a career in building custom log homes. Some of Bill’s greatest work can be seen in Bondurant, Lander, Atlantic City and as far as California, where he built beautiful, massive log homes.
Bill had a tremendous love for horses and owned many throughout his lifetime. Among his favorites were Clunker and Traveler. Bill shared this passion with his daughters and grandchildren, and the skilled horseman was always up for a trail ride or pack trip.
On June 2, 2019, Bill lost Rosie, the love of his life. The couple shared 53 years of marriage together. After Rosie’s passing, Bill committed his time to reconnecting with family, chasing new love, teaching his girls and grandchildren life skills, and perfecting his leatherworking craft. He could be found astride a trusted mount in the backcountry, BSing with buddies at McDonald’s over coffee, tooling a saddle design in his leather shop, or enjoying a Coors Banquet with his sweetheart in Dubois.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Rosie Bartholomew; granddaughter Dakota Coffee; brother Kenton Bartholomew; brother Charles Bartholomew; and sister Dorothy Batholomew. Bill is survived by his daughter Toni (David) Coffee; daughter Patty Koivupalo; six grandchildren, Cierra (Buckey) Lobdell, Jessica Koivupalo, Ryann Koivupalo, Slater (Sadie) Coffee, Robert (TraciAnn) Koivupalo, and Emeri Coffee; five great grandchildren; step siblings; many nieces and nephews; beloved girlfriend Yvette Sander; and many additional friends and family.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the Lander Senior Center on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 11:00 AM. All are invited to a funeral reception following the service to share stories and memories about Bill’s life.
On-line condolences for Bill may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments