William "Bill" T. Canaday

William T. Canaday

William T. Canaday, 63, a retired Douglas businessman with many friends here, died last Saturday at Converse County Memorial Hospital in Douglas after a short illness.

Mr. Canaday was the husband of Florence Boyd Canaday, who was born and raised in Niobrara County. They were married in Hammond, Ind., in 1944, while Mr. Canaday was in the Army.

He served in the Army's 76th infantry division in the European Theatre of World War II from 1941 to 1945, attaining the rank of captain and earning the Bronze Star.

A native of Lawrenceville, Ill., he was the first child of Tracy and Farrell Canaday. The family moved to Casper in 1918 and William was graduated from Natrona County High School in 1939.

He continued his education at the University of Wyoming, where he was champion on the fencing team and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Mr. Canaday later attended the School of Commerce at Northwestern University in Chicago.

In 1948, Mr. Canaday and his wife moved to Douglas, where they owned and operated Platte Valley Motors, a General Motors dealership, until their retirement in 1972.

Mr. Canaday was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Douglas, the American Legion, Douglas Community Club and had served as president of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce.

He was a member and vice-president of the Wyoming Travel Commission under Gov. J. J. Hickey.

Mr. Canaday was an excellent chef and enjoyed entertaining friends with his excellent dishes.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Canaday is survived by a brother, Robert Canaday of Long Beach, and a sister, Virginia Manfull of Riverton; two nieces, Mrs. Ted Kaegebein of Garden Grove, Calif., and Julie Manfull of Riverton; a nephew, Robert Canaday, Jr. of Santa Barbara, Calif., and several aunts and cousins.

A graveside service was held Tuesday afternoon at Lusk Cemetery, with the Rev. James Wolfkeil of Christ Episcopal Church of Douglas officiating.

Pallbearers were Robert D. Thomas, Ben LeVasseur, Sam Bass, Harold MacKay, George Wills, John Clemens, Al Clough and Scott Carver, Don Martinson, George Sims and M. Clare Mundell.

The family would prefer memorials to either the heart fund or Episcopal Church Parish Hall Fund of Douglas. Peet Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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