William Mather McKellar, "Wild Bill", age 70 of Steamboat Springs, Colorado passed away on Saturday March 6, 2021 surrounded by his loving family and many of his close friends. He was born October 4, 1950 in Dallas, Texas to Ed and Alice McKellar. Bill grew up in Beaumont, Texas and Westport, Connecticut graduating from Staples HS in Westport, in 1969.  He attended the University of Texas where he met his wife of nearly 45 years, Michele (King) McKellar. After a few years of living life to the fullest, Bill attended the University of Wyoming Law School, graduating in 1982. At the time of his death, Bill had been a licensed attorney in both Wyoming and Colorado for 39 years.

Bill was a well-respected, successful litigation attorney and mediator in Wyoming and Colorado. He was a true western gentleman who loved the law, helping people and mentoring other lawyers. A colleague recently said: "Bill was a class act all the way. The integrity of our profession and devotion to the Rule of Law took precedence, for Bill, over the issues or interests of any one case. He was firm, compassionate, professional and an accomplished trial lawyer.  As a mediator he also was able to understand and evaluate both sides of a case, identify the soft underbelly of each side's perspective, and work to bring the case to resolution."  Bill enhanced the practice of law by serving as President of the Laramie County Bar Association and President of the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association.  He was admitted to the Shoshone and Arapahoe Tribal Court and helped to reestablish Defense Lawyers of Wyoming (DLAW). In 1990, Bill was awarded the rank of Advocate by the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Bill was a practical joker, he loved to make people laugh and was able to laugh at himself in turn. Everyone who has known him has a "Wild Bill Story" that will make them smile whenever they remember him . Bill was not born in Louisiana, but at an early age he adopted the philosophy of "laissez les bon temps roulette" (let the good times roll) which he followed throughout his life. His early life in the marshlands of south Louisiana with his father and grandfather instilled in him a love of the bounty of the earth. As a kid he dreamed of being a cowboy and his favorite book was Brave Cowboy Bill.  He appreciated beauty in all its forms.  His love of mountains and skiing brought him and Michele to the Rockies where he embraced the cowboy culture of Colorado and Wyoming.

Bill was an avid and active hunter, fisherman, golfer and skier. He loved to ride his horses, Freckles & later Drifter, and even the wild mares, Kachina and Pepper, in the mountains.  Anything he chose to do he did with gusto, humor and skill. Bill passed on his love of fishing, hiking, hunting, skiing and music to his numerous nieces and nephews, welcoming all into his and Michele's home. He was lovingly nicknamed "Mr. Field & Stream". Bill's family was central to his life and he did his best to be there for important life events, traveling coast to coast to attend milestone birthdays, weddings, graduations, and holidays. He was a proud supporter of Heeling Friends of Steamboat serving as flag and banner bearer in the July 4th parades and volunteer in numerous other HF events. He inherited his love, creativity and talent for cooking from both his mother and father.  He received rave reviews for his baby back ribs and many other BBQ meats that were absolute melt in your mouth delights. He eagerly participated in the pioneer cooking classes at the Tread of Pioneers Museum in Steamboat where he learned the art of sourdough bread making.

He loved live music, attending many concerts and shows with Michele and friends in Steamboat and traveling across several states to catch the latest Rolling Stones tour. For Bill and Michele's 30 ^th Anniversary the Rolling Stones, on their Bigger Bang Tour, graciously agreed to Bill's request to play at Zilker Park in Austin where they were married. It was a celebration not to be missed.

Bill is survived by his best friend, partner & wife Michele, his much loved four legged children: The Colonel, Dozer, Chance, Suki, Boone, Billy the Kid & Frisco; his sisters Kathleen Vincent  and Pam (David) Johns of Texas; his sister-in-law Cherie Boeving and brother-in-law Edwin "Bubba" King of Texas; and his brothers-in-law Kevin (Oved) and Michael (Kathy) King of Florida.  He is also survived by nieces and nephews: Christian, Alexandra, Nicholas, Casey (Christine), Sarah (Russ), Josh, Reece, Taylor, Courtney, Matthew, Kate (Chase), Anne (Jed), Nell (Brian), Grace, Mary (Andrew), Leah (Shawn), Dillon, Wes; 12 great nieces and nephews and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Susan.

Bill possessed a tremendous spirit of generosity, hospitality, thoughtfulness and integrity that he lived by. A celebration of Bill's life will be held this April 8th at the Cheyenne Country Club. There will be another celebration later this year in SteamboatSprings, Co. Donations may be made to LiftUp of Routt County, Heeling Friends Inc. of Steamboat, Northwest Colorado Health Hospice( www.northwestcoloradohealth.org ), Cheyenne Friday Food Bag Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Routt County Humane Society, National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem Association (CASA/GAL), or KeepRouttWild.com. Happy trails Wild Bill!

The Family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and doctors at YVMC and Dr. Joann Grace & Emily Henderson from Northwest Colorado Health for their care, compassion and support.