Donald McNeal Wilson

Funeral services for Casper resident Donald McNeal Wilson, 76, will be conducted at 10 a.m., Fri. in the chapel at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery by Hospital Chaplain B. Ellis Kaster.

He died Jan. 1, 2006, at Wyoming Medical Center.

He was born Feb. 11, 1929, in Pine Ridge, S.D. The son of Guy L. and Amy (McNeal) Wilson, he was raised and attended school in Chadron, Neb, and Douglas.

He served in the U.S. Army and Air Force, and was honorably discharged. He and his first wife Shirley had one son, Don. He moved to Casper in 1979.

He met Carol Vregdenhil in Gillette, in 1977, and married her Oct. 21, 1989, in Douglas after a long courtship. They moved to Lusk, where he served as mayor from 1994-1996. They returned to Casper in 2003, and lived there since.

He worked as a drilling fluids consultant in the oilfields. An avid outdoor enthusiast, he supported the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and was responsible for several of their pancake breakfasts. He was also a member of the American Legion, VA Affairs and the Elks Lodge.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Don B Wilson; a stepson, Robert Vreugdenhil; two stepdaughters, Teresa Fowler and Kim Thomas; one sister, Cora Wishart of Canada; ten grandchildren; one niece; and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to a charity of the donor's choice. They may be left at Bustard's Funeral Home and Crematory, which is in charge arrangements.