Willamae Shuler

Longtime Powell resident Willamae Shuler, 89, went to be with her Heavenly Father on March 31, 2023.

She was born in Broadwater, Nebraska in 1933.  She moved to Wyoming at age 5 with her father and mother, Frank A. and Nellie L. Matson and older sister Rosalee.  The family lived on Whistle Creek where her uncle was homesteading at the time.  She had many fond memories of the area and the people there. 

 Upon the death of her father, Willamae and her family moved to Powell when she was a young girl.  She attended public school there and graduated from Powell Senior High School in 1952.

Willamae was married to Thomas John Shuler and together they raised three sons; Tony, Jim and Jack. The home they built would remain her residence and a continuing source of comfort and pleasure for 60 years.

Willamae loved the Lord and was a lifelong member of Union Presbyterian Church. She served as a member of Women’s Circle as well as a deacon and an elder and interim church secretary. She was a regular Sunday presence as she greeted the congregation.

Many remember her from when she worked in the medical practice of Dr. Lyle Haberland as his receptionist and assistant for 35 years.  One of her superpowers was the ability to make friends and enjoy their companionship.  Whether it was attending local theater productions, rooting for Powell sports teams or going on long walks with her dear friend and neighbor, Donna Brandon, she was blessed with a wealth of friends who added great meaning to her life. She was also a devoted mother and grandmother, traveling to attend birthdays, graduations, marriages and births. 

She loved the outdoors and never passed up an opportunity to visit Yellowstone or the Bighorns.  Willamae took great pleasure in knitting and crocheting as well as being an avid reader and crossword puzzle fan.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her son Thomas Jackson Shuler and former husband Thomas John Shuler.

She is survived by her sister Rosalee Schiewe; her sons Tony (Lynn) and Jim (Kathy) and by four grandchildren; Sam (Lori), Laura, Stephen and Thomas as well two great-grandchildren Wyatt and Cody Shuler.  She is also survived by nieces Vicki Thomas, Debra Mitzel and Terrie Davis.

We want to thank all the friends and family, past and present, who have enriched Willamae’s life.  Your love and kindness mean more to us than you know.

Memorial services are scheduled for Friday May 19, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Union Presbyterian Church in Powell.  A reception/luncheon hosted by church deacons in Ferren Hall will follow the service. A private burial will take place in Crown Hill Cemetery at a later date.