William “Buck” Neel, of Sheridan, WY, died at the V.A. Medical Center on September 5th, 2010.

Buck was born November 5, 1922 to Emanuel Baxter and Julia Ann (Jennings) Neel in Calico Rock, Arkansas.

Mr. Neel grew up in Calico Rock and attended school there for 8 years. He then went to work at the Civil Conservation Corp to support his family. World War II came along and Buck served in the U.S. Army. When his service in the Army was completed, he moved to Laramie, WY, where he had some family. In Laramie he started a small construction company, managed the Cowboy Bar, and played in the “Buck and the Laramie Valley Boys Band”. He married Marilyn Green in Laramie in 1967. As Buck’s health weakened, he moved to Sheridan in 1971 to be near the V.A. Medical Center. He and Marilyn parted ways in 1973. Buck worked construction in Sheridan and played guitar and sang in many, many bands. He married Patricia Dennis on January 14, 1999 in Sheridan.

Mr. Neel loved spending time with his family and playing the guitar and singing in country western bands. Buck was a member of the Wyoming Country Music Foundation and a member of the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame.

Buck was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Betty Gay Green; 11 brothers and sisters, and one great-great grandchild.

Mr. Neel is survived by his wife Patricia; one son, Harold J. Neel; daughters Clara Neel of Sheridan, Redina Focht of Gillette, and Martha Schmidt of Denver, CO; two brothers, Herb Morgan of Laramie, WY, and Haskel Morgan in Georgia; one sister Edna Walker of Mountain Home, Arkansas; 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at The Sunrise Assembly of God Church on Thursday, September 9, 2010 with Pastor John Jackson officiating. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorials may benefit the Dog and Cat Shelter, 84 East Ridge Road, Sheridan, WY 82801.

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