W. Dale Dickey

Walter Dale Dickey of Gillette, Wyoming, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 15, 2025, just 28 days shy of his 97th birthday. We rejoice knowing he has heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord.” – Matthew 25:21 Dale was born at home in a farm hand’s house in Sangamon County, Illinois, to David Walter and Bessie Marie Dickey. He attended school through the 8th grade in a rural one-room schoolhouse. He graduated in 1948 from Ball Township High School. From 1948-1952, he served in the Illinois National Guard during the Korean War at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Camp Cooke, California, serving in the 106th Tank Battalion. He then began a lifelong career in the natural gas field, first with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline and, in later years, with Western Gas Processors and Anadarko. He officially retired at the age of 84. On April 25,1954, Dale married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Evelyn Redeford, whom he met in that one-room schoolhouse years before. Dale was a loving and devoted husband, faithfully standing by Mary through 40 years of her long-term disability during their 66 years of marriage. They raised two daughters, Lisa Rickard (Dave) of Laramie, Wyoming, and Amy Bluhm (Jim) of Washougal, Washington; the family lived in small communities in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming before Dale and Mary settled in Gillette. Dale was a gifted artist and car enthusiast and could often be found tinkering in his garage or driveway on a vehicle. These vehicles were often the subject of his art hobby. He took great pleasure in restoring a classic 1964 Mustang and was a member of the Gillette Mustang Club for many years. Dale was a man of integrity, faith, and quiet strength. He served as a leader in every church they attended and with The Gideons International throughout his lifetime. He shared his lifetime of wisdom and faith in God by leading Bible studies right up to the week of his death. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; parents, Walter and Bessie; and siblings, Howard Dickey and Mary Ann Young. He is survived by his daughters and grandchildren Michael Switzer (Amanda), Kristen Switzer, Stephanie Rickard, Alison Curley (Marcus), and Zachary Rickard; and great-grandchildren Madeline, Carter, Holly, and Romell. Dale loved his family deeply and leaves behind a lasting legacy of faith and love. A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, Wyoming. A celebration of life event will also be held at the end of November. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideons International. Memorials and condolences may be sent to the family in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716, or shared online at www.gillettememorialchapel.com