Obituary - Bill Boender
May 11, 2026
William John Boender
(Jan. 19, 1941 — April 22, 2026)
William John Boender, born January 19, 1941, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to John and Mary (Craft) Boender, left this world on April 22, 2026, in Pinedale, Wyoming, after a short illness.
Bill led an amazing life, always on his terms, yet so positively impactful to his family and friends.
Growing up in West Virginia, he learned to hunt squirrels and whitetails as a boy with his father. Hunting, fishing, shooting, camping and all things outdoors were his lifelong passions. But more than that, he was a rock for all of us. To say this man was smart would be the understatement of the century. He had so much experience in so many dimensions it was almost scary to see in action. Any problem- he had sage and practical advice- and would always jump in with both feet to help and solve.
Bill was an accomplished outdoorsman. He and his partner once won the Wyoming state canoe championship. His shooting skills were off the charts- as he recently demonstrated to his grandkids when he easily outshot everyone in off-hand target practice at the age of 84. He hunted elk, antelope, deer, turkey, moose, sheep and all forms of small game and upland birds. He was also a Wyomingite in every sense. In his early twenties, he made the decision that this was the only place to live and found a career in industrial equipment sales and never looked back. Family vacations were camping or hunting trips in every part of the state. He helped everyone experience the great outdoors through leadership in shooting organizations and with countless examples of selfless support to friends and acquaintances.
Beyond the outdoors, Bill was a true patriarch of the family. He was tough when he needed to be, but always fair-handed with others’ best interests at heart. In the most difficult moments of our lives, he was the one we leaned on. His wry sense of humor kept things in perspective, yet fun.
He married his wife Rita (Powell) Boender in 1961, had two children, Sharon Rauenzahn and Mike Boender, one brother Dave, grandkids and extended family — all who survive him. There are no words to express how much everyone misses him.
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