William Thomas Gustin

William (Bill) Thomas Gustin, 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family & friends, on January 11, 2014 at the Lander Regional Hospital. He fought a courageous 13 year battle with cancer.
He was born on August 19, 1931 to Rita (Laird) and William Thomas Gustin, Sr. In their home on North 2nd street. He was the 8th of 10 children.He attended the Lander South Side Grade School and the Fremont County Vocational High School, graduating in 1951. He attended Casper College.
Both of his grandfathers, Edward Ames Gustin and James Gilbert Laird were early settlers in the Lander Valley.
He spent his first 28 summers on the family dude ranch at Dickinson Park until his mom sold the ranch in 1959.
He married Evelyn Joan Cox on April 8, 1954 at the United Methodist Church.They have two children.
In 1961 he entered the real estate business and in 1968 he opened his own office and built a new building at 545 Main, retiring 32 years later. This profession brought many new friends into his and his family's lives, and who remain so today.
During his many years in real estate, he was associated with many organizations.He was a charter member, and lifelong member of the Wyoming Outfitter's Association; charter member of the Lander J. C.'s; served as chairman of the 4th of July Parade and the rodeo the following year; past president of Fremont CountyRealtors; past vice president of Wyoming Board of Realtors; past president of the Wyoming State Fair Board; served as president of the One Shot Antelope Hunt when it reached its 50th year; past shooter on the 1991 Wyoming team at the One Shot Hunt; past director of the Water for Wildlife Foundation.He was also a charter member of the Squaw Creek Culture Club and the current Liar's Club.
He was an outstanding athlete and avid spectator of all sports.He was a member of the only Lander High School Wyoming State Football Championship team in 1948.He played basketball in college.He was a world horseshoe pitching champion in his class in 1996.
He taught his children and grandchildren the love of the out of doors and the wonder of the beauty of nature and wild life. He loved to hunt and fish, providing abundantly for his family.He claimed to be 'the world's greatest fisherman' but if someone would ever out fish him, he would jokingly swear to 'never take them fishing again'.But he always did.
After trying for 42 years to be awarded a moose permit, both he and his son received them in 2002!They both were successful in the harvest.
He also enjoyed playing golf for many years.
He was good at telling jokes and a better story teller.His friends and family loved to listen to his tales and adventures of his life.Every visitor would ask him to relive those times with them.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his step father, Joe Cook, brothers Jim & George Gustin, sisters Patty, Wilma, Phyllis and Margie.
He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, son Greg Gustin of Lander, daughter Debra (Gustin) Sinclair of Gillette, several grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters Bertie Wester of Buffalo & Deanna Hitshew of Lander, brother Raymond (Catherine) Gustin of Lander and many, many loved nieces and nephews and great & great, great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 11:00 atHudson's Funeral Home, 680 Mount Hope Drive, Lander, Wyoming 82520
Donations may made be made in his name to the Water for Wildlife Foundation at 545 Main St. Lander, WY 82520 or an organization of choice.
On-line guest book: www.HudsonsFuneralHome.com.



Funeral Home:
Hudson's Funeral Home
680 Mount Hope Drive
Lander, WY
US 82520