William (Bill) Ginther was born in Laramie on January 5th,1941 and passed peacefully surrounded by family on January 6th, 2026, at the Hospice House of Laramie, the morning after his 85th birthday. He was the son of Glen and Marie (Hansen) Ginther.
Bill attended school in Laramie and graduated from Laramie High in 1959. During his high school years, he was a star athlete, basketball being his favorite sport. After high school he was an avid skier and served on the Happy Jack Ski Patrol. Bill worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a switchman/brakeman from 1966-1969. Then subsequently served the Laramie Fire Department until 1991 when he retired as an engineer and shift trainer. He possessed a deep love for the outdoors including hunting, hiking and especially fishing. Bill and his wife Diann had a cabin in Keystone, west of Laramie, in the Snowy Range. The cabin was a great catalyst for bringing family together in the place that Bill loved most. Throughout his life Bill was a very active person, continuing to go to the gym almost daily well into his 80’s. Bill and Diann are both alumni of the University of Wyoming, where they stayed lifelong fans and supporters of UW athletics.
He was preceded in death by his parents Glen and Marie and his sister Cynthia Ginther.
He is survived by his wife Diann (Prahl) Ginther, his brother James Ginther, his daughter Michelle (Ginther) and Chad Blake, and his son Michael and Keli (Van Cleave) Ginther as well as his beloved granddaughters Samantha (Blake) and Jason Kinsley and Courtney (Blake) and Lane Mosteller.
Memorial services to be held at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall 2 pm on Saturday January 10th, 2026. Casual dress is encouraged. Donations may be made in Bill’s name to the Hospice House of Laramie.
Dear Diann, Michelle, Mike and families, As you are aware, Bill and I spent most girls' basketball and volleyball games cheering and sometimes agonizing, as we watched our daughters play for the Plainsmen in the mid-eighties. Bill and I became good friends and always sat together. It was easy for me to be his friend, what a quality person. Although, over the years we didn't see each other often, but when we did, the bond we shared was obvious! I am deeply saddened for your loss and the loss we share. Bill's friend, Ryan
Diann and family; we are sorry for your loss. You and Bill have always been good for our neighborhood. We always liked looking over to see what he might be puttering with as he always seemed busy with something. - Sharon and Travis Wade
Sending my condolences to the entire Ginther Family. I was 3 years old when in 1957 my parents Joseph and Amelia Orr located our primary home in Laramie from our post-WWII, 12-acre cabin homestead 2 miles southwest of Centennial, WY at the base of Centennial Ridge (west 6-acre length boundary contiguous to the USDA Medicine Bow National Forest), which became our 2nd home. My father Joe was an avid skier, downhill/x-country/& backcountry skiing along with snowshoeing, hiking, climbing, bicycling, swimming in mountain lake, backpacking all over the Snowy Range Mountains. My father was older than Bill, and Bill was taller than my father at 6 foot 1 inch height; but my father had very broad shoulders, a strong barrel-shaped chest, and long arms not unlike Bill. Our family knew Bill best while he was on the Ski Patrol at what used to be the Happy Jack Ski Area, with its warming hut, the beginner's hill & rope tow, and the larger hill and trails accessed by the longer rope tow. As a 3-year-old child, then K-12, and 4 years at UW, skiing at Happy Jack, Bill always towered above us with his height and stature. He really was like a huge teddy bear. Occasionally, Bill would intervene on the small hill, especially with my slightly younger sister (1 1/2 years younger than I) who was a "Tom Boy-type" doing death-defying runs down the small and larger hill trails. Bill was so nice to us growing up, loving our Wyoming outdoors way of life throughout all seasons. It is sad to hear that "Big Bill Ginther" has passed away. Prayers & peace be with all in His Family.
Diann and family. Bill was always like a big brother to me- hanging out with my big brother. As children we were close cousins. Spent summers and Christmas’s together- wonderful memories. He was always taller and larger than life to me! He was a good man, husband, father and grandfather. I know you will miss him greatly! We will meet again!
Bill was a great man. His knowledge of wildlife and his respect for nature was a true Wyoming trait. He was a big man with a big heart. I always remember him getting into Aunt Marie's cookie jar, and how she acted so upset. Only problem I had with Bill ,was him not letting me know what fly he had tied on. Secret fly secret hole. Very few salt if the earth men left like Bill. Goodbye cousin, see you on the other side.
So sorry to hear the loss of your loved one! Condolences to you and your family and God
Dear Diane and family so very sorry for your lossThinking of you
Oh Diann, My heart is bleeding for you. You are in my heart and in my prayers. Dawn Deiss
Dear Diann and the whole family. Please accept our sincere condolences on Bill's passing. Your Friends, Sam & Bonnie Chavez
Diann and family I am so sorry for your loss I worked with Bill at Laramie LFD and some of my fondest memories are of his so genuine empathy and soulful heart
So very for this loss. Such a beautiful family. Sending love.
Dear Family, Bill is a colossal loss. I’m so sorry for you and the community. Deepest Sympathy 🕊️ To be out of the body is to be in the presence of the Lord 2 Corinthians 5:8
Diann & Family, So sorry to hear the news about Bill, sending prayer & thoughts to you all at this sad time.
Dear Diann and family ! I’m so sorry that Bill has passed ! I’m thinking of you and sending my sympathy! Take care of yourself ! Jill Knight
Dear Diann and family, So sorry for your loss. Bill was a classmate and always positive person. Sharon Attebery
Our sincerest condolences! Glen and Mindy Zwieg.
This is Donna Bird Crandall, the daughter of Don and Dorothy Bird. I remember Bill well from the time he worked with Dad and from he and Diann being friends and partners in mischief with my parents. My deepest condolences on your loss. He was a wonderful man and both were great friends. Dad and I reminisced not long before he passed about the time the ditch collapsed on Bill and buried him. Dad always felt that God had more plans for him and just wasn't ready to take him home to have survived that. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you walk this difficult journey. May God bless you.
So sorry for your loss. I remember Bill from his days working with my dad,Don Porter at Happy Jack ski area, and he worked with Diann at the Railroad credit union. As a kid I loved to watch Bill ski.
I am so sorry for you loss. Praying for comfort for all your family.
Diann, Michelle, Mike, and families, Bill was a great co-worker, friend, shift trainer, equipment operator, teacher, and mentor. He earned respect and confidence from those around him. Cherish your memories and hold him close in your hearts. RIP brother firefighter.
So sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful friend and coworker. Rick and Kay Soderberg
Sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed our meeting at the rec center. Bill always had a good outlook even when he was not doing well.