Frederick Wilson Working passed away on February 22, 2012 at the Sheridan VAMC, he was 91 years old. Fred was born to Keith and Beulah (Damey) Working on June 6, 1920, in Noble County near Ligonier, Indiana, on his grandfather’s farm which was an Indian Land Grant signed by President Andrew Jackson in 1834. In order to earn money while in high school, Fred ran a trap line for beaver and muskrat. Fred always had a strong fascination for airplanes. The day after the Pearl Harbor bombing by Japan, Fred enlisted in the Army Air Corp, just the opportunity to satisfy his desire to fly. During WWII, Fred saw action in North Africa, Sardinia, Corsica, France, and Germany as a flight engineer and gunner in a B-26 bomber. Twice his plane was shot down behind enemy lines and twice the crew was rescued by the Australian military. He was honorably discharged October of 1945. Fred retired from the Air Force Reserves in 1980. He attained his private pilot license and flew for seven years with the Civil Air Patrol. On August 31, 1943, in Wichita Falls, Texas, Fred married Margaret Louise Sterling of Sheridan. Of this union a daughter, Vicki Louise and a son, Zane Sterling were born. In 1946, Fred and Margaret moved to Sheridan, where Fred worked on local ranches both in Wyoming and Montana. In 1947, Fred began work with the National Forest Service in the Big Horn mountains until the Korean Conflict called him back to serve his country again in the U.S. Air Force. Fred served from August of 1950 to 1951 at Carswell Air Force base, Texas. After returning to Sheridan, he worked at the U.S. Postal Service. During the late 1940’s and 1950’s, Fred rode in local rodeos as a bronc rider and in the wild horse races. In 1953, he went to work for the VAMC as an occupational therapist. Fred and Margaret divorced in the late 60’s and Fred married Priscilla Fox of Sheridan in 1974. In 1975, Fred retired from the VA, and went to work at the Ritz Sporting Goods, where he excelled as the ski technician and ran all aspects of the “ski department.” Although born in the Midwest, he was always attracted to the West with its rugged charm, especially the Big Horn Mountains where he knew the names of every location along with the herd count for deer and elk in that area. He was an avid hunter and guided hunters for many many years. He always enjoyed wildlife photography. Fred was a western history buff and had a passion for horses. He was a downhill skier who served on the National Ski Patrol here at the Antelope Butte ski area in the 60’s and 70’s. Fred was on the Board and worked with All American Indian Days all the time it was located in Sheridan. He was twice commander of the American Legion Post #7 and was the drum major for the Post’s 7th Cavalry Drum and Bugle Corp, leading the band for parades and ballyhooing for a number of years. On one occasion as General Custer, Fred is known to have ridden his horse Tiny through the front door of the Mint Bar and out the back door! Fred was a life member of American Legion Post #7 and Sheridan Elks Lodge #520, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and the Sheridan Sportsman Club.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Rosalie Pendill and daughter, Vicki Louise.

He is survived by his wife Priscilla and son Zane, both of Sheridan; step daughter Stephanie Fox; step grandchildren Jasmine, Eva & Eli; nephews David of Elkhart, Indiana and Terry Pendill of Bradenton, Florida, Bob Lewis of Kansas City, Missouri; niece Connie Smith of Golden, Missouri and devoted cousin Carrie Brantz & husband Steve of Sheridan.

Funeral service will be 2:00pm on Wednesday (Feb. 29th) from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with Father John Meyer officiating. Members of the 7th Cavalry Drum and Bugle Corp will be pallbearers. Interment will be in Sheridan Elks Cemetery. Military rites are by the U.S. Air Force. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

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