Strannigan, William "Bill"

A Wonderful man will truly be missed! Our heartfelt sympathy to all. Lifting you all up in prayer, Mike & Barbara Poggis

Mr Strannigan was a great man. I never had him as either a coach or a teacher, but I was around him throughout my years in school. I always respected him and send my condolences to his family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. The memories of Bill will bring you comfort as time goes by.

I was so sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Strannigan, he was a great teacher, i had him in Jr. High and again in High School. I am so glad he could be inducted in the Coaches Hall of Fame before his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

What a great coach and teacher. I know that he will be truly missed.
Prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.

Where does a person start? Mr. Strannigan was a wonderful and inspiring person, when I was having problems he was the first to ask if he could help with what I was going through. He was a genuine good guy and he will be missed!

Anthony Garcia
Class of 1979 RHS
Rye, CO 81069

So sorry for you loss. Bill was great "MAN" and will be missed by all. I was very fortunate, to know Bill and call him a friend. God Bless you all.

So sorry for you loss. Bill was great "MAN" and will be missed by all. I was very fortunate, to know Bill and call him a friend. God Bless you all.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Strannigan family. May your many fond memories warm your hearts and ease your sorrow. He was truly a legend and a fine man. It was a pleasure to visit with Bill just a few days ago at Gene Patch's celebration of life.

We have been inspired and touched deeply by Bill. We will forever appreciate his friendliness and kindness to us, as well as his many contributions to the youth of Wyoming. We are better people for having known him and Wyoming is a better place as a result of his many contributions. Rest in peace, Bill. And our sincere and prayerful condolences to his family.

There are a few generations of RHS Alumni who think of Bill Strannigan when they parallel park. "Three turns of the wheel!" He was a great Driver's Ed teacher and a dedicated coach. The class of 1969 was honored to have him at our class reunion, three years ago. He was such an integral part of our high school experience. He coached sports, but he also coached us in life. We were most fortunate.

Clarise and Family - I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Bill was such a tremendous mentor to coaches in our state - his leadership will be terribly missed. We will not be able to attend the services as I am away in Nevada - so give my condolences to the family. God be with you all.

Ted and Renee Schroeder

My most sincere sympathies to your family. Mr. Strannigan was a wonderful person. He always had a smile and something nice to say; even if it was a joke. You all are in my prayers.

To the entire Strannigan family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. I hope that knowing Coach is in a better place and is no longer suffering, eases the pain of losing him somewhat. Coach Strannigan was a tough, but fair man and was one of the most respected men I knew growing up. He will truly be missed.

While I didn't know Bill personally, I knew of him .... and always admired his many accomplishments. My condolences go out to Clarice and his family.

To Clarice and all of the Strannigan Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time, Bill was such an inspiration to Riverton High School Athletics and his passion for sports will live on in many of us. He will be sadly missed by the United Methodist Church congregation, and we are all thankful for his faithfull service to our Lord and the church. May he rest in peace.

To the Strannigan Family,

You folks are in my thoughts and prayers.


Linda Samuelson

To the Strannigan family,
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. He was such a wonderful person and mentor to so many Riverton school students and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Sincere condolences to all of his family and pray that all of you can take comfort that he is now at peace and free of suffering.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
God bless Coach Strannigan.

Reuben and Rosalee Blumenshine
Ft. Collins, CO

Was sorry to see this today. Please be well Strannigan family. Scott and I were classmates and though it's been a whole bunch of years, I still remember the Strannigans, starting with Mr. S at the high school being a class act...My heart goes out to you. A great life lived. Shawn Nelson

We send our thoughts and prayer to you and your family Clarise. The memories of this wonderful man will live on.

Clarice,

I am so sorry I cannot attend Bill's funeral. I know it has been a struggle and he fought hard with this crazy cancer.
My sincere regrets, thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

To my wonderful father may you rest in peace. I am so proud to have been able to spend 50 years with my hero! You will live on in our memories.

Love from Your #1

I love you papa I'll miss you, the last 11 years that I spent with you were awesome:)

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. Bill was a great man and will be missed.
Derek and I enjoyed his company lots of mornings at "Daylight" coffee.

Bill will be greatly missed. His devotion to his family, friends, the students, athletics, school and town of Riverton was never ending. I admire him beyond words, the best boss I ever had and a dear friend. Some of my best memories of my years in Riverton include Bill. Even though i'm thousands of miles away my thoughts and prayers are there with his family.

Clarice, Scott, Terry and family,
I am saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. What a great guy. I always remember him as “a presence” at RHS through the years and as Athletic Director for a number of years. The thing I remember most though, is seeing him running, and then in later years walking, out on North 8th West and back to his house for his daily exercise. I would note throughout the years that the RHS jacket he always wore would become more and more faded. For a while there, it almost looked orange until it faded a bit more and finally began looking rather pink to me! Over time I would ask myself why someone (me) didn’t honor his legacy by giving him a new RHS warm-up or sweatshirt. Each time I would come to the same conclusion--that the old, faded one said something about him and about his love for Riverton athletics that a new one could not. It just seemed wrong to mess up that history. Last year when the track team was cleaning out the old track suits and selling them for donations, I determined I was going to get him one from 1986 (when I graduated) so he’d have a bright shiny, yet old, one to wear. Before I got through the line though, I’d talked myself out of it thinking that I really enjoyed seeing him in the old one. Now I wish I would have done it just to have a reason to have stopped by his house to say hello and tell him what an impression he’d made on me over the years as I watched him support our teams and attend so many functions. I will always think of him when I am on North 8th West.
He will be missed by many.
Kindest sympathies,
Kim Settlemire and family

Jeff & I are saddened to hear of the loss of Bill. You are in our prayers and we are thankful for the legacy Bill has left and the many lives he affected in a postive way. God bless you all. Rhonda Locker

To Clarice and family, my heartfelt sympathy for your great loss. We, all who knew him, have also suffered a loss. He was my long-time friend from the coal camp era (Winton/Reliance), and my Riverton walking pal, though never did we walk together--even a block. Yet I looked forward to seeing him walking east on Sunset, down the hill, returning from his walk as I walked west up the hill. We greeted each other across Sunset. His walks meant a great deal to him, even when he was not feeling well. Bill will be sadly missed. God bless you in your sorrow.

I'll miss you papa.
Love, Blakey

To the Strannigan Family
I am adding to a long list of best wishes to all of you regarding how respected and what a wonderful educator, coach and man Bill was. Our children went to RHS in the late 80's and 90's. They always saw him as tough but fair. I too walked Sunset early in the mornings. I was always ahead of Bill and we would say Hi on my way back to our home on Rosemarie. My family was always concerned that I would walk so early sometimes before daylight. I always told them I would be Ok Bill was behind me. He would protect me.
May your sorrow be comforted by great memories and love you have shared as a family.
Bill and Kathy Howard
Omaha, Nebraska

Dear Clarice, Terry, and Scott,

We were so saddened to hear of Bill's passing. What a wonderful legacy he has left in Riverton and the state of Wyoming. His dedication to athletics and building character in so many young men that he coached and mentored is truly admirable. We know how proud you are of him for all his accolades. But even greater was his role as husband, father, grandfather,great-grandfather, and friend.

We have so many fond memories of our years in Riverton when the Strannigan family took us under their wing as the "new kids on the block." You made our time in Riverton fun and meaningful and we will be forever grateful.

We are thinking of you during this difficult time. Please know you are close to us in our thoughts and prayers.

Frank and Phyllis Rotellini

Mr. Strannigan was a wonderful man who made a very positive impression on my high school years. As an adult ,he inspired me in my career with cancer patients and I will truly miss him.

Dear Clarice,

We read Bill's obituary and the beautiful tributes and remarked about how many lives he touched during his career and retirement. He truly loved life and passed on his enthusiasm to countless others. His achievements are a lasting legacy for Terry, Scott and the grandchildren. We shall remember the happy times before illness finally overcame his strong will. God bless you and the family.

Sharon and Bill Hillbrant

Liz, So sorry to hear about you brother.

Liz, So sorry to hear about you brother.

our family had the pleasure of becoming part of your family through the marriage of dianna and scott...we were honored to be welcomed by the grandmother, and her dawson connection with my father, the aunts, who even welcomed our dogs...but most of all through Mr. and Mrs. Bill Strannigan, their kind words, their cards, their kindness...the way they made my father a part of their family..please accept our sympathies with our deepest respect..rest assured, scott is also part of our family and will continue being so...he is my brother....

I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I know he will be missed by all of his family. Although we didn't see a whole lot of him, Jimmy always spoke very fondly of him. Sorry I couldn't make the services.

So sorry to hear of the passing of my friend and former mentor, Bill. He was an inspiration to me throughout my entire coaching career, and I still have fond memories of the time I spent coaching in Riverton. Bill and I have remained friends throughout, and I will forever be grateful for his friendship. I worked with Bill on the Wyoming Coaches Hall of Fame Committee and it has always been a pleasure visiting with him in regard to all phases of the HOF and Wyoming athletics. I am sorry I cannot attend the funeral, but unfortunately, I am out of town. Bill will be missed, but I know he lived a full life and enjoyed Wyoming athletics and did so much to improve high school athletics. To Clarice and boys, be strong and know that Bill was a great person and on a humorous note (since I like to let everyone know) he was one guy shorter than I am. Will miss ya Coach.

So sorry to hear of the passing of my friend and former mentor, Bill. He was an inspiration to me throughout my entire coaching career, and I still have fond memories of the time I spent coaching in Riverton. Bill and I have remained friends throughout, and I will forever be grateful for his friendship. I worked with Bill on the Wyoming Coaches Hall of Fame Committee and it has always been a pleasure visiting with him in regard to all phases of the HOF and Wyoming athletics. I am sorry I cannot attend the funeral, but unfortunately, I am out of town. Bill will be missed, but I know he lived a full life and enjoyed Wyoming athletics and did so much to improve high school athletics. To Clarice and boys, be strong and know that Bill was a great person and on a humorous note (since I like to let everyone know) he was one guy shorter than I am. Will miss ya Coach.

I was blessed to have Mr. Strannigan as an instructor during my high school days. He was always so friendly and encouraging. To his family and friends..... you are in my thoughts n prayers. RIP Mr. Strannigan.

Clarice & family
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my husband on
Feb. 11, 2012 and it is hard. These scripture help me
to cope(Revelation 21:3,4. 1 Timothy 2:4 and
Psalm 37:29) Hope you can read them. If you need
to talk I am here.

To Mrs. Strannigan:
I want to say your husband was a good man and I enjoyed the chats we had in the hall of the High school. My deepest sympathy to you and your family

Thoughts and prayers are with the Strannigan Family during their difficult time. I will always remember Mr. Strannigans kind smile and firm pat on the back. May you rest in peace Coach.

Tadd Curtin

To the family of Bill Strannigan;

I went to school in Rock Springs and finished in 1958. Some of our coaches were from the little mining towns just north of Rock Springs, and the main
high school was in Reliance. The other towns were Winton, Dines and Stansbury. The athletic programs there were very good and the teams that Reliance High put out in competition with the other schools were second to none. Some very good athletes came out of these schools. One of them was Bill Strannigan.

I had heard his name mentioned many times by our coaches and especially by the people who were friends of mine from the mining camps. He was a very highly respected athlete and man and I came to find out that later, he was a highly respected coach and teacher at Riverton High and was well known throughout the State of Wyoming.

I share in your loss of this fine man as I had the opportunity to meet him and visit with him for a short time some years ago. Since I married a girl from Riverton, she knew him well from her days at Riverton High as a student and as a cheerleader for the athletic teams. Everyone spoke so highly of Bill and his name will not be forgotten. He left a legacy that will be remembered forever.

A sad return home from vacation when I read that Bill had passed away. State tournaments in Casper won't be the same without Bill there to offer his perspective, knowledge and wisdom. He will be missed by sports fans, coaches, players and media everywhere.

Growing up on the Reservation and being involved in athletics from a very
young age, I was well aware of who Bill Strannigan was years before I ever
met him or played for him. I remember in the late 1960's going to the old
gym at St. Stephens for what was then called "Midget" basketball games (5th
& 6th grades). On the walls were old black and white pictures of him and the
teams that had so much success in the late 50's-early 60's. Anyone who is
familiar with the Reservation understands how important basketball has
always been there, and because of this I always felt a special connection to
him and Coach Harris. As a student-athlete at Riverton High School in the
1970's I came in contact with Coach Strannigan on a daily basis, not only
during the basketball season, but throughout the school year. I have many
memories of one-on-one conversations he and I shared during those years and
the stories he told. No matter what was going on, he was always willing to
take the time to help me out when I needed it. Whether it was helping me
rehab from a knee operation, writing a letter of recommendation, or offering
support when my father passed away, I always appreciated the way he reached
out and made himself available.

Coach Strannigan played a very large role in my desire to become a high
school coach, and over the years I very much appreciated how he always kept
track of what I was doing. He was always one of the first to contact me with
a word of congratulations when there was something to celebrate, and even as
I entered middle age I still felt a strong sense of accomplishment when my
"coach" told me that I had done well. As the years went by I came to
understand how important he was not only to me personally, but also to the
entire coaching fraternity in Wyoming. Where ever I've traveled, I've always
taken great pride in telling people that I played for him, and in claiming
him as a friend and mentor.

When it came my time to retire from coaching and become an activities
director, he contacted me again with congratulations. It was a very special
message that at the end referenced my coaching. He said, “You will miss it”.
Because of my relationship with him and others like him, I’ve tried to make
sure I take the time to reflect on how lucky I’ve been to work with so many
kids over the years and to form my own relationships. I owe him a great
debt.

I still have the email he sent me. I keep it on my computer in a file called
"Family". It's also where I keep all the old emails from my father. I think
it's an appropriate place.