David James Ocampo: February 24, 1986 — March 17, 2023
David James Ocampo, 37, of Gillette, Wyoming, passed away on March 17, 2023. David was born on Feb. 24, 1986, to Caroline Elizabeth Gonzales, and Stephen Ocampo in Williston, North Dakota.
After graduating from Douglas High School in 2004, David went on to join the United States Navy on Nov. 4, 2004, where he was stationed in San Diego, California, and was enlisted until he was honorably discharged on Aug. 1, 2008.
At a young age David proudly became the father of his first-born daughter Jaedyn Miller. He would then go proudly have his first son Chai Kinneberg, and proudly have his second son Braison Miller. He would later go on to proudly have his second daughter Hannah Ocampo.
It was at that time he inherited a third daughter Olivia Hulsey, who he would raise and love as his own. David would later go on to meet Lisa, and they would eventually marry in 2022. It was then that he would meet Nyomi and Niya Moore who he would grow to love and would treat and love as his own.
For anyone who knew David knew that his kids meant the world to him and he loved them with all of his being. He wanted nothing but his children to be happy and succeed in all that they did; and to always reach for the stars and never let anyone tell them they couldn’t do anything the wanted. His children were his pride and joy.
David James Ocampo was a bright light to many in this world. He was quick to help anyone in need without wanting anything in return. He had a smile that was contagious, and a huge hug that was filled with much love. David loved and he loved hard. He wanted all of those around him to feel loved. It was always his goal to make someone smile and feel loved. David most of all loved to spend time with his children, his family and his friends. If you needed him or wanted him to come over you could count on him to be there without hesitation.
David was the biggest fan for his kids, nieces, nephews, and his friends’ kids when it came to sporting events. You were sure to see him there supporting them any chance that he could. It brought him much joy to be able to watch and attend those type of events every time he was able to. When visiting family out of state, he made every effort to attend any games that took place while he visited.
David had a huge passion for baseball starting at a very young age. He would go on to umpire games throughout the state and went on to umpire the 2022 Northwest Regional, as he said a dream come true. It was pure joy for him every time he was out there on the field. He was recently nominated for consideration to umpire for a National Tournament.
When you didn’t see him on the diamond you were sure to see him on the golf course. David enjoyed the game of golf, you would see him on any of his off and free time out on the greens, whether it was with someone or by himself. He truly enjoyed it.
David will truly be missed by so many. We will always love and miss him tremendously.
David is preceded in death by his brother, Gabriel Castro; his dad, Russell Henson; his grandmother, Maerene Gonzales; his grandfather, Lupe Gonzales; and his twin brothers, Michael and Thomas Castro.
He is survived by his mother Caroline Henson, his father and his wife Stephen and Darlene Ocampo; his wife Lisa Ocampo; his children Jaedyn Miller, Chai Kinneberg, Braison Miller, Hannah Ocampo, Olivia Hulsey, Nyomi Moore, and Niya Moore; his brothers Catarino Castro, Christopher Ocampo, Russell Henson, Jonathon and Tiffany Henson, and Chai Henson; his sisters Christina and Julio Garcia, Stephanie and Eric Aldape, Emily and Omar Medina, Amber and Kenny Ortega; many and many very loved nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, grandmother Virginia Ocampo, cousins, and numerous friends who are like family.
Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th St., Gillette, Wyoming 82716. The celebration of life reception will immediately follow at the American Legion Hall of Gillette.
The family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts for your continuous prayers and loving words.
Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th St., Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.
Ellis Ivan Richards: February 6, 1937 — March 19, 2023
Ellis I. Richards, 86, passed away at his home in Gillette, Wyoming, on March 19, 2023.
Ellis was born Feb. 6, 1937, in Ridge, Montana, to William “Clyde” and Geraldine (Malley) Richards. He joined the U.S. Army with service from 1956 through 1959, stationed at Anchorage, Alaska.
After discharge from the Army, Ellis married Lois West; and two children were born to this union. Ellis worked several years at underground and surface uranium mines, then retired from Powder River Energy in 1996 after 29 years.
Ellis is survived by his wife, Lois; son, Bill (Karen) Richards; son-in-law, Bob Barnette, four grandchildren; brother, Vic; sisters, Evelyn Williams, Ella Mae Drane, Sharon Clements, Linda Macy, and Donna Richards.
He was preceded in death by daughter, Terry Barnette; parents; brothers, Bill, Tom, and Gerald; sisters, Georgia, Rosie, Thelma and Beverly. Condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th St., Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettmemorialchapel.com.
Harold Kenneth Bachtold: November 12, 1932 — March 23, 2023
Graveside service for Harold Bachtold will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.
Harold K. Bachtold was born on Nov. 12, 1932, in Ryan, Oklahoma, to Henry and Minnie Bachtold and passed away quietly March 23, 2023, in the Campbell County Hospital following a difficult battle with COVID.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Eddy Lee, sister Mary Beth, wife Loraine, son Kirby Lee, and grandsons Alexander Scott Thompson and Brandon T. Bachtold.
Constantly at his side and carefully attended to in his final days in the hospital were his daughter, Elizabeth Thompson who lives in California with her husband Scott, son, Harold C and grandson Blake who both currently live in Gillette, Wyoming. He was reminded by them every hour of every day that he was so loved and would never be alone or forgotten and that his beloved angel Loraine was patiently waiting for him.
He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Dee Thompson (husband Scott); son, Harold Cricket Bachtold and grandsons Kirby A (wife Sam); Blake C (wife Shelby); nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Harold was a quiet man, real cowboy and true patriot who grew up in the Great Depression on a hard scrabble farm in Oklahoma. After graduating from high school, he joined and served in the U.S. Army in Korea as a frontline soldier and marksman who received numerous military honors for his accomplishments and bravery including the Korean Ambassador for Peace medal.
After getting out of the Army, he moved to Kansas in 1955 to find work where met his soulmate Loraine, they were married just a few months later he knew he had found his angel. Harold continued working in the oilfield for Halliburton in Kansas where he fathered three children. In 1964, they packed up everything moved to Oklahoma where he went back to school and earned a diesel mechanic degree in just two years and achieved a place on the Dean’s Honors Roll with a 4.0 GPA.
After earning his degree, he went back to work for Halliburton in 1966 and then moved to Glendive, Montana. In 1972 he packed up his family one last time and moved to Gillette, Wyoming, where his three children attended school and graduated from Campbell County High School. He continued to work at Halliburton in Gillette as the lead mechanic where he also mentored many new equipment operators and mechanics during the crazy boom years of the oilfield.
Living frugally and saving everything he and wife Loraine could, he managed to retire early at age 58 and left Halliburton in 1992. After retiring he sold their long-time home on Richards Avenue and bought a small ranch just outside Gillette where he lived for over 35 years with his now deceased wife. Harold loved to ride and often took his horses deep up into the Bighorn Mountains. Some years back he also went on a recreation of the great Centennial Migration West where everyone wore period clothing and rode in wagons and on horseback, it proved to be the ride of a lifetime for him and something he was extremely proud of. He also loved to fish and once even flew up to a remote Canadian lake to fish for Northern Pike, he joked that he could catch fish on a bare hook up there and caught enough fish to last him his lifetime.
During his retirement, he and wife Loraine quietly spent their time on many pet projects and hobbies around the ranch peacefully whiling away the days and nights out in the countryside where he felt at home and at peace. Harold considered himself quite the “horse trader” and was very fond of attending local auctions where he could always find his friends bidding on machinery and horses.
Always the loyal soldier he served on the Honor Guard in Gillette for many years and he served as the commander of VFW post 7756 in Gillette taking great pride in being able to continue to serve his country and honor his fellow veterans. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion for half a century.
He also loved to dance and was extremely good at it, he and his wife could frequently be found at all the dances in Gillette and just about every country dance they could find from nearby Buffalo to Spearfish where they floated across the dance floor oblivious to everything except each other. Right before her death, Loraine told Harold he owed her a last dance.
His absence and friendship will be deeply felt by his family and many friends. He is now, once again rejoined with his angel Loraine in Heaven where she finally gets her last dance as they waltz their way across heaven, dancing together in each other’s arms for eternity.
Please note that a Celebration of Life gathering/event for Harold K Bachtold will be held sometime this coming June, hosted by his daughter Elizabeth and son Harold C. The exact date, time and place will be advertised in the newspaper approximately 1 to 2 weeks beforehand. It will be open to all of his family, friends and acquaintances or anyone who was bettered by Harold’s life. RSVPs will kindly be requested.
Condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.
Wayne P. Martin: October 2, 1942 — March 9, 2023
Wayne P. Martin, age 80, died unexpectedly on March 9, 2023, at his home in Gillette. His family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death.
Wayne was born on Oct. 2, 1942, in Plattsburgh, New York, where he grew up on his family’s dairy farm. He moved to Gillette in the late 70s where he spent the rest of his life.
He enjoyed fishing, camping and doing things outdoors. One of his favorite spots was at Cook Lake, in the mountains above Sundance. He loved being around family and friends and could make everybody laugh with the stories he would tell.
Wayne is survived by his longtime girlfriend, Kathy; sons: Brian, Scott and Shelby; daughters: Lyn and Brenda as well as his extended family: Darren, Tawny, Garrett and Damon, and a host of loving relatives and friends. We will all miss him more than words can say.
Condolences can be sent in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716 or via the internet at www.WalkerFuneralGillette.com.
Bonnie Viola Wirtala: February 5, 1945 — March 10, 2023
Bonnie passed on March 10, 2023, at the age of 78 at her home in Gillette. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who know and love her.
Services to be announced at a later date.
Karen Dee Wigner: October 13, 1939 — March 22, 2023
Karen passed at Campbell County Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loving family, on March 22nd, 2023, at the age of 83. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who know and love her.
There are currently no formal services planned.
Jerry Wade: June 9, 1942 — March 24, 2023
Jerry passed in the late hours of Friday, March 24, 2023, at Campbell County Memorial Hospital at the age of 80, surrounded by his loving family. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who know and love him.
Full life tribute coming soon.
Formal services are currently in the planning stages and will be announced shortly.
