William “Billy” C. Irvine

Billy Irvine, 92 year old Buffalo resident who passed away late Saturday evening at the Amie Holt Care Center in Buffalo. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 5th at 1:00 p.m. from the Harness Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with John Christian officiating. Visitation will be held from the funeral home on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with the American Legion and VFW in charge of military graveside rites.  Donations in Mr. Irvine’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of the Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo.  Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

William “Billy” Irvine was born on September 26, 1924 in Lusk, Wyoming to William “Pax” and Villa Moore Irvine.  His family ranched in Lusk, Wyoming and later moved to another ranch east of Edgerton, Wyoming. Billy attended grade school at the ranch with his sister Edna and his brother Lee. When it came time for high school the family bought a house in Midwest and stayed there during the school week. Once Billy graduated high school he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands as a radio operator during World War II.  After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army he returned to the family ranch at Meadow Creek and Cow Camp.

He married Sally Eckwall on April 7, 1947. Together they had five children; Edna, Frank, Linda, William “Del” III and Todd. The family moved to their own place, named the Pat O’Connor Flats, between Midwest and Kaycee. In 1954 they leased the Potter Ranch north of Natrona and moved there. In 1961 they bought the Brewer ranch north of Powder River where they lived until November of 1965. The family along with Edna’s husband Tommy Jarrard then moved to a cattle ranch in the Northern Territory of Australia. They spent almost a year there and then moved back to Wyoming. In 1969 Billy bought and his family moved to the Josendal ranch. Billy retired in 1998 and moved to Buffalo, Wyoming. 

Billy loved to rope and was a member of the Turtle Association, a Gold Card Member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association and a member of the Elks Lodge.
He is survived by his five children, Edna Irvine of Riverton, WY; Frank Irvine of Buffalo, WY; Linda Dickinson of Casper, WY; William C. “Del” Irvine III of Billings, MT and Todd Irvine of Torrington, WY; eleven grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, one sister and two brothers.

Sheridan & Johnson County Obituaries