In Memory Of
Dean William Borthwick
1927
2016
Dean William Borthwick
February 6, 1927 — April 5, 2016
Dean William Borthwick, 89, prominent, long-time attorney and devoted husband of 61 years to Merrilyn Waymire passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 5, 2016.
Dean chased the “American Dream”. After losing his father at a young age, he and his brother Don, spent their childhood in Wheatland raised by their hard working mother. At age 17, he left for the U. S. Navy and served aboard the LSM-491 which was heading for the invasion of Japan in 1945. Mr. Borthwick completed his military service in the Philippines one year after World War II ended.
Dean worked multiple jobs to allow him to fulfill his dream of going to the University of Wyoming and graduating with a B. S. in Accounting and Juris Doctorate from the University of Wyoming Law School. During college he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Business School Honorary and President of the Student Body.
He began his career in politics as Chief of Staff to the late Governor Milward Simpson followed by Deputy Attorney General and Attorney General serving the state of Wyoming. He then was selected as Field Representative for the late U.S. Senator Cliff Hansen. In 1972, he started his own private law firm specializing in Bond Counsel and Municipal Bond financing until his retirement at the age of 85.
Dean was charismatic, friendly, and never forgot a name or a face. It felt like everyone knew Dean and Dean knew everyone. He loved people and his generosity led him to devote himself to many organizations and charities. He was Chairman of the Wyoming State Bar Association, Chairman of the Board of Professional Responsibility, Charter member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, First Wyoming Attorney General to be recognized as ‘National Municipal Bond Lawyer, Chairman of Civilian Advisory Council/F. E. Warren AFB, Kiwanis Club, Cheyennne Frontier Days Heels, American Legion Boys State Director. YMCA, VFW Life member, President of Cheyenne Quarterback Club, Chairman of Wyoming Community College Commission, VP of Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and University of Wyoming Alumni Association Board. He loved to ski, worked hard to take his family on special trips and it was not unusual for him to get up and sing with the band while on vacation.
We will miss him so but find comfort he is free and has entered God’s kingdom. He is survived by his wife, Merrilyn; daughters, Marcie (Mark) Longenecker, Nancy (Thomas) Grote, of Cincinnati, Ohio and Linda (Robert) Beckwith of Walton, Kentucky and grandchildren Lauren (Steve) Linde, Kathryn (Karl) Pembaur, Caroline Grote, Lisa Grote, Molly (Jonathan) Stauning, Julianne Garrison, Laura Garrison, Tori and Chad Beckwith.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Dean’s life and Christian Memorial service at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark’s Church followed by a reception in the Guild Hall. Memorial contributions can be made to Cheyenne Animal Shelter or St. Mark’s Church.
Dean chased the “American Dream”. After losing his father at a young age, he and his brother Don, spent their childhood in Wheatland raised by their hard working mother. At age 17, he left for the U. S. Navy and served aboard the LSM-491 which was heading for the invasion of Japan in 1945. Mr. Borthwick completed his military service in the Philippines one year after World War II ended.
Dean worked multiple jobs to allow him to fulfill his dream of going to the University of Wyoming and graduating with a B. S. in Accounting and Juris Doctorate from the University of Wyoming Law School. During college he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Business School Honorary and President of the Student Body.
He began his career in politics as Chief of Staff to the late Governor Milward Simpson followed by Deputy Attorney General and Attorney General serving the state of Wyoming. He then was selected as Field Representative for the late U.S. Senator Cliff Hansen. In 1972, he started his own private law firm specializing in Bond Counsel and Municipal Bond financing until his retirement at the age of 85.
Dean was charismatic, friendly, and never forgot a name or a face. It felt like everyone knew Dean and Dean knew everyone. He loved people and his generosity led him to devote himself to many organizations and charities. He was Chairman of the Wyoming State Bar Association, Chairman of the Board of Professional Responsibility, Charter member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, First Wyoming Attorney General to be recognized as ‘National Municipal Bond Lawyer, Chairman of Civilian Advisory Council/F. E. Warren AFB, Kiwanis Club, Cheyennne Frontier Days Heels, American Legion Boys State Director. YMCA, VFW Life member, President of Cheyenne Quarterback Club, Chairman of Wyoming Community College Commission, VP of Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and University of Wyoming Alumni Association Board. He loved to ski, worked hard to take his family on special trips and it was not unusual for him to get up and sing with the band while on vacation.
We will miss him so but find comfort he is free and has entered God’s kingdom. He is survived by his wife, Merrilyn; daughters, Marcie (Mark) Longenecker, Nancy (Thomas) Grote, of Cincinnati, Ohio and Linda (Robert) Beckwith of Walton, Kentucky and grandchildren Lauren (Steve) Linde, Kathryn (Karl) Pembaur, Caroline Grote, Lisa Grote, Molly (Jonathan) Stauning, Julianne Garrison, Laura Garrison, Tori and Chad Beckwith.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Dean’s life and Christian Memorial service at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark’s Church followed by a reception in the Guild Hall. Memorial contributions can be made to Cheyenne Animal Shelter or St. Mark’s Church.
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