Mr. James Wiltse

James Emory Wiltse was born on November 13, 1934, at the old hospital in Newcastle Wyoming. Dr Wells was attending. His brother, Dudley, was 14 months old at the time, while his sister, Jeanette, would not be unexpectedly arriving for 3 more years.

His mother and father, Hazel and Kirk Wiltse, were very loving parents who created a world of interesting things for their family. The home was filled with music and laughter, and a deep love of nature and animals was deeply instilled in the children. Cars were a big deal, and Jim was especially interested in all things mechanical; an important family event was picking out a brand new Pontiac in 1949 - the color and model were thoroughly discussed.

Early on, Jim's good looks and warm smile charmed everyone around him, and he could usually worm and wiggle his way out of most consequences. Jim could have been a good student but mischief was always an attraction, and his feisty temperament put him at odds much of the time. He found plenty of like-minded classmates and probably influenced a few who wouldn't have been so inclined. He often butted heads with Mr Crouch and Mr Macy, the school Superintendent and the high school Principal, but his love of B basketball and the patience of coaches were an effective positive influence.

Jim's first job was at the Frank Humes gas station and his mother was often concerned with a cough that persisted that winter from washing cars. He had suffered from asthma and serious hay fever in childhood, which drove him to endure multiple-shot treatments to be able to work on his Grandmother Semsey's ranch outside of Sundance in the summers. He later worked for his dad on their water well drilling rig, in the oil patch and for ranchers all over the eastern Wyoming counties and into South Dakota.

In 1955 Jim joined the Navy and was stationed in San Diego, California. After being discharged, he worked on oil rigs in Colorado for a short period before returning to Wyoming where he took on various sales jobs, extending into Montana. He later moved to the Chicago area as a sales manager. After spending Christmas in Denver in 1965, Jim was immediately attracted to the climate and moved there the next Spring, where he enjoyed success for 20 years selling the cars he so loved. He returned to Newcastle in 1985 when his mother Hazel was ill and worked as a sales rep for the radio station. He later worked for the County Assessor's office until his retirement in 2000.

A life-long love of Jim's was jazz and Big Band music; he acquired an extensive knowledge of songs, lyrics, dates and musicians over the years. He was also a huge sports follower and remained a frustrated but faithful Cubs and Broncos fan through thick and a lot of thin. His enthusiasm for automobiles never waned, and was constantly in the process of restoring his beloved 1968 Mustang convertible. He became an expert at cooking on the grill and even developed his own recipes, which lead to even more adventures in cooking.

Jim staunchly opposed the Christian faith and spiritual matters of any kind throughout his life, but through many deeper conversations during his illness and the drawing love of God, he finally placed his faith in Christ. Listening to scripture and joining in prayer were of great comfort and interest during his last weeks.

James Emory Wiltse was a true Wyoming Renaissance man - if there is such a thing - and treasured home, family and friends very much.

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