Basil Raymond (B.R., Mac) McCulley

Basil Raymond (B.R., Mac) McCulley passed away peacefully at his home on July 7th, 2021. He was born April 22, 1932 to Benjamin Robert and Goldi Irene McCulley in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Basil graduated from Grand Junction High School with the class of 1950. He volunteered for the US Army in June of 1950 and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the military in September of 1953.

Basil worked for Schlumberger Well Service relocating to Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1960. He met Eileen Bertoncelj on July 24th, 1960 and they were married at Eileen's parents' house in Point of Rocks, Wyoming on December 26th, 1960. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on December 26th, 2020. Basil and Eileen are the parents of five boys, Kirt R., Niki Stephen, Michael Shawn, Mark Andrew, and Dennis McCulley.

Basil returned to school in 1972, he graduated from Western Wyoming Community College with his Associates of Science in May of 1974 then received his Bachelor of Science in Physical and Art Education from the University of Wyoming in May of 1976. He was employed by Sweetwater School District No. 2 for 25 years as an Elementary Art teacher working at Washington, Jackson, Granger, and McKinnon Elementary Schools. Basil retired from SWSD No. 2 in May of 1996. While working for SWSD No. 2 he coached Junior High football and wrestling and 9th grade football.

Mac was an avid wrestling fan and started his coaching career as a volunteer wrestling coach for School District No. 1 in the 60's. He coached junior high and high school wresting for SCSD No. 1 until 1976. He was a member of the coaching staff of the Rock Springs High School state championship wrestling team in 1976. Mac refereed junior high, high school, and junior college wrestling for 20 years in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. He was a USA Wrestling official for 37 years. He was a member of three Wyoming Armature Wresting Association Cultural Exchanges to Holland, Germany, and Bulgaria. He officiated multiple Senior National, Junior National, Regional and Kids tournaments across the United States.

Basil is survived by his wife of 60 years Eileen McCulley of Rock Springs, WY, four sons, Kirt McCulley of Bridger, MT, Mike (Tammy) McCulley of Rock Springs, WY, Mark (Nikki Ann) McCulley of Carlsbad, NM, and Dennis (Sherry) McCulley of Red Lodge, MT. Seven grandchildren Stephanie (Rob) Martin of Green River, WY, Andy McCulley and fiancé Samantha Shisler of Rock Springs, WY, Zachary McCulley of Saratoga Springs, UT, Shae D. Patrick McCulley of Laurel, MT., Jonathan (Danisha) Olson of Casper, WY., Britney (Cody) Staford, of Rock Springs, WY, Rehanna (Ray) Hucksley of Rock Springs, WY, and Zack Gail of Farson, WY. He has eleven great grandchildren.

Basil was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Goldie McCulley, In-laws Andrew and Alnora Bertroncelj, brother Herman McCulley, son Niki McCulley and nephew James McCulley.

The family respectfully requests donations be made in Basil's memory to Hospice of Sweetwater County, 333 Broadway Suite 220, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901

A Private family service will be conducted at a later date.

Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com.