Former CWC president dies at 82

Services for former Central Wyoming College President Dr. William W. Day, 82 will be held Wednesday November 9, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Riverton. Military Honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. He died Friday November 4, 2011 at Help for Health Hospice Home in Riverton.

He was born in Fargo, ND January 10, 1929 to William W. Day III and Mabel (Rembeck) Day. He was raised and graduated from high school in Worland, WY. He played football and was a skier.

He married Carol Bower, his high school sweetheart in Billings on June 14, 1949.

He served with the 300th Armored Field Artillery Bn. Wyoming National Guard during the Korean War. He survived 244 days of combat and was awarded many decorations including the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Army Commendation Medal, 2 U.S. Presidential Unit Citations-Army, 1 Presidential Unit Citation-Navy for support of the 1st Marine Division, 2 U.S. Meritorious Unit Commendations for combat in Korea. He left for Korea as a Master Sergeant and was given a direct commission as 2nd Lieutenant upon return. He ended his service with the rank of Captain.

Bill earned a BA and MS in Physics and chemistry from the University of Wyoming and the Doctorate degree from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

He taught mathematics and science at Green River, WY and was on the faculty of the University of Wyoming. He was a senior lecturer for NASA and a math-science consultant for the state of Colorado. He then taught at Ferris State University in Michigan as an Associate Professor and department chairman, followed by appointment as Full Professor and Dean at California State University, Turlock CA.

Dr. Day was president of Central Wyoming College from 1973-1980. He finished his teaching career in Hong Kong where he taught physics and nuclear science at Hong Kong International School. He retired in 1989 due to deafness.

 

Memorials may be made to the CWC Foundation to the Kenneth Day Memorial Scholarship.