William "Will" Speer, beloved husband, father and brother, passed away suddenly Saturday, July 16, 2016 at his home. Will was born in 1940 in Rockford, Ill. to Roy J. and Rhoda Jane Speer. In his teens he guided fishermen at a resort located in the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Canada. During his college years at Iowa State University as a forestry major, he fire jumped for the USFS in the west. He came to love the west and after college moved to Oregon and never looked back. He helped develop the ski resort in Bend, Oregon. He then moved on to help develop Snowmass Ski resort in Colorado. After managing forfeited properties in both Iowa and Denver, he was lured to Saratoga in 1980 to manage the Saratoga Inn and fell in love with the peaceful community. In 1982 Will married Susan Rogers and they settled in Saratoga for the next 33 years together. In 1983 he became the General Manager and Chief Financial Officer for Old Baldy Club and remained there until 2001. In 1995 He and Susan founded Cornerstone Realty, which is still active today.
Will was a very active and committed member of his community. He became president of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and helped return it to financial stability. He rallied many major donors to help jump start the Platte Valley Community Center, which has brought many events and programs to Saratoga. Will played a major role in establishing the Corbett County Medical Foundation. As a founding member, he made it possible for Platte Valley to always have a medical clinic to serve local needs. He continued to serve on the Foundation until his death.
Will loved golfing, fishing, hunting and walking his beloved dog, Angel. Will and Susan loved to travel, and enjoyed their timeshare in Mexico several times a year.
Will is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Susan, his son, Jeff, of Washington State, and Step children, Mark (Kim) Rogers of Oklahoma, Cindy (Jeff) Marholz of Minnesota, and Tyler (Jenifer) Rogers of Oklahoma, his brother Fred Speer of Illinois, 8 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Will was a friend to all, always willing to lend a helping hand, and a true gentleman. He will be missed immensely.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Corbett Medical Foundation, PO Box 343, Saratoga,, WY 82331, or to a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life was held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Platte Valley Community Center in Saratoga.
Condolences and tributes may be made at http://www.carboncountyfuneralhome.com
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