Mary Pauline Wills died on Sept. 15, at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born Dec. 9, 1947, in Thermopolis. Mary grew up on the Kirby Creek Ranch near Thermopolis. Her mother, Rose Marie Berg Wills, and father, Charles Michael Wills, worked on the sheep ranch, which was owned by Dave and JoAnn Jones. Mary’s ranch family in Thermopolis remained an important part of her life.
Mary came to Pinedale to begin her teaching career at the Pinedale Elementary School in 1969 after graduating from Casper College and the University of Wyoming. During her 42-year tenure as a teacher in Pinedale, she taught kindergarten, third, fourth and fifth grades. Being a lifelong Wyoming resident, Mary eagerly shared the history of Wyoming with anyone that would listen – kid or adult.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Nella Rose Maria Wills Stark, and her husband, Carl Stark, of Casper. She leaves behind five grandchildren: Isabel Rose, of Laramie; Michael Ray and Logan Charles, of Carondelet, Ill.; Anna Marie and Natalie Kaylin, of Casper. Her loving second family in Thermopolis also mourns her passing: JoAnn Jones, Everett Jones and Linda Kay Heinze.
Mary was preceded in death by her mother Rose Marie Wills and father Charles Michael Wills.
During her tenure in Pinedale, Mary was a faithful member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. A celebratory luncheon was enjoyed by many teachers and staff from the Pinedale schools, community members, as well as many of Mary’s Rendezvous Pointe friends on Sept. 23. She will be buried beside her parents in the Riverside Cemetery near Thermopolis.
Mary’s friends and family would like to erect a small flat stone at her gravesite in Riverside Cemetery near Thermopolis. Donations for the stone can go to Arlinda McLaughlin, P. O. Box 940, Pinedale, Wyo., 82941.
