Mr. William Kohlbrand

Bill Kohlbrand, 55, died Wednesday March 11, 2015 at Weston County Health Services in Newcastle, WY.
Bill was born May 23, 1959 in Chicago, IL to Henry E and Louise (Neubauer) Kohlbrand. On June 23, 1983 he married the love of his life Sandra Reed.
Although raised in a large city, his heart was in the woods, so he studied Forestry at the University of Montana and spent most of his career working in Northeastern Wyoming. At the time of his passing, Bill was the District Forester in Newcastle with the Wyoming State Forestry Division. Previously he had worked with the Powder River sawmill and the State Forestry Division as a contractor. Bill always felt the Black Hills was "God's Country." He was also a very active firefighter and looked forward to fire season. He participated in many forestry management groups and was the co-chair for the mountain pine beetle task force in the Black Hills.
Bill enjoyed hunting and shooting and was an active member of the NRA, providing safety and shooting instruction to many young people. One of his favorite times of year was going to elk camp where he enjoyed his friends and stalking game in the forest. This is where he picked up the nickname of Buzzsaw.
Bill was a larger-than-life individual and had a unique and contagious laugh. He had only friends and never had an unkind word for anyone. He loved working with youth and loved his family. His favorite saying was, "Every day's a holiday and every meal's a banquet." These were words he lived by. He always spoke softly and wore a loud shirt.
Bill was unselfish with his time - whether it was time to spend on projects or fun with his grandchildren. He loved life and was passionate about whatever he did. Later in life Bill became a licensed minister and performed weddings for friends, with great enthusiasm.
Survivors include his wife Sandra of Newcastle, daughters Kristen Kohlbrand, Newcastle and Jennifer (Mike) Pederson, Summerset SD, brother Henry (Janice) Kohlbrand, Rapid City SD, grandchildren Aryana and Tayshaun Kohlbrand and Sydney and Kaia Pederson and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Carl.
Bill's legacy will continue to live on through every life he touched, and every person he met.
Services will take place on Saturday March 21 at 10:00 AM in the Crouch Auditorium in the Newcastle High School at 1100 Casper Ave in Newcastle WY. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Newcastle.
Arrangements being made through Worden Funeral Directors, Newcastle http://www.wordenfuneraldirectors.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family at PO Box 151, Newcastle WY 82701 c/o Sandy Kohlbrand.

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