Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
William Colbert "Bill" Barker was born September 30, 1956, in Newcastle, Wyoming, to John R. Barker and Bertha "Bobbie" Barker Truax. He died in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines on May 30, 2019.
Bill attended Kitty Moats Elementary School in Osage, Wyoming. He attended high school in Upton, Wyoming and Newcastle.
Bill earned his GED and joined the Navy in 1976. He spent years traveling the world during his Navy career, serving in the Philippines for 11 years. He loved and had a special place in his heart for the Philippines, returning a couple times a year to visit his Navy buddies and his fiancé.
He achieved Chief Petty Officer as well as three college degrees during his service. After his retirement from the Navy in 1996, he resided in Osage until his unexpected death while in the Philippines.
Bill is survived by his dad John R. Barker of Lusk, Wyoming; his mom Bobbie (Barker) Truax of Sundance, Wyoming; brother John Barker Jr. (Rona) of Upton; Sue Fuhrmann (Mike) of Sundance, Jim Barker (Twyla) of Lusk, Jason Barker (Jodi) of Newcastle; and nine nieces and nephews, 11 great nieces and nephews, three great-great nieces and nephews. Bill was also blessed to have a large amount of Navy buddies and friends around the world too numerous to list.
Graveside services were June 22 at Greenwood Cemetery in Upton with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Osage Ambulance or Kitty Moats Complex in Osage.