Robert Wesley "Bob" Willis

Robert Willis ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home on Mar. 7, 2026.Robert Wesley "Bob" Willis was born January 10, 1925, to Andrew and Amy Willis. Bob lovedhis family and was a wonderful son to his parents and brother to his two brothers and sister. Heloved Laramie, and could give you a full history on Laramie, who built your house, where theyworked, and could track your family line back at least three generations. Bob never met aStranger; no one left a conversation with him without learning something and feeling betterabout themselves.Bob was the most loving husband, father, grandfather; he was married to Kaye Blackner for 72years and had five children, Debbie Mickelsen (Roger, children Melissa, Amy, Shaun andMeghan), Ron (Debbie), Heather (Grace, Robbie and Mary), Rob (Mary, children Ben andAbby), and Wendi Welniak (Randy, children Craig, Michael, Katie, Emma, and Heidi). He alsohad 13 great-grandchildren.Bob served as a rifleman in the US Army's 26th Infantry Division during World War II. He earnedthe Purple Heart and Bronze Star during The Battle of the Bulge. After recovering from a seriouswound sustained in combat, Bob was released again to the front line where he would see theend of the war, ultimately being witness to the release of Buchenwald Concentration Campsurvivors. He then cared for 20 Polish Jewish girls who had been released from the camp, asthey prepared to testify to war crimes. Bob was later called back to the Army's 10th InfantryDivision in 1951 to train young soldiers before deploying to Korea.Following the end of his US military service, Bob served an LDS mission to Holland. Uponreturning to the University of Wyoming, he completed his degree in zoology. Bob received hisDMD and was a dentist in Laramie for 49 years, retiring at the age of 78. Bob loved getting toknow his patients and care for their families and was a true servant leader to the Laramiecommunity.Bob loved to fish, specifically in French Creek, in the Snowy Range. He was a beautiful skier aswell. Bob also was the proud co-owner of a Cessna and loved to fly. He loved visiting withpeople, a good cold Pepsi, and sharing home-cooked dishes, including mashed potatoes,cheesecakes and his world-class apple and cherry-berry pies.Bob lived independently in his beloved home of 63 years, until the age of 101 +1 month. He leftus too soon, wanting more, on March 5, 2026.Donations in memory can be made to the Ivinson Memorial Hospital Foundation, wherehe received loving, wonderful care. Family graveside service to be held at a later date.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.