Ronald Gillis
Ronald L. (Ron) Gillis, 78, of Glenrock, Wyo., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 30,2026 in Casper, Wyo. with his wife Beverly and his dog Charlie by his side.
Ron was born in Ludington on Dec.. 6, 1947, to John and Olga Gillis. He grew up on the family farm in Pentwater. He was expected to work the family farm, and if he needed money, “go out and earn it,” said his dad. He did. He worked on neighboring farms, bailed hay, did concrete work, construction work, worked at Motyka Metal, and of course tinkering with mechanics on both cars and motorcycles. Per friend Frank Hilton, “We didn’t have little afternoon jobs scooping ice cream. We worked.” He spent some of that hard earned money on his first motorcycle at the age of 14, thus beginning a lifelong enthusiasm for everything motorcycle.
After graduating high school, he worked on the boats (steamship ferries) on Lake Michigan and worked for a short time at an industrial auto supply plant in Grand Rapids.
He married Deborah Cole on Dec 10, 1966, and together they had two children: Ronald Lee Jr. and Wendy Jo. They later divorced.
The family moved to Wyoming in 1978, settling in Glenrock where Ron spent the next 30 years, interspersed with some stints in Texas, Louisiana, Washington, Idaho and Colorado. While in Wyoming, Ron worked trucking jobs and as a heavy equipment operator. He also had a motorcycle repair shop he operated from home. Word of mouth brought him plenty of business. Along with Mike Harrison, he was a charter member of Central Wyoming ABATE. With the help of LaVerna “Pinkie” Hendricks (Wyo State House) he was a driving force behind the campaign to successfully repeal Wyoming’s universal helmet law.
Ron met his second wife Beverly Doll in Glenrock and they married March 6, 2005.
He started working for Deluxe Harley Davidson in Casper as a mechanic in 1997. Beverly bought the Dime Horseshoe Bar in Sundance, Wyo. in 2005 which facilitated the move there, where he spent the next 20 years. Ron transferred to the Deluxe Harley shop in Gillette and ultimately finished his career at the Deluxe Harley Davidson, Sundance as shop manager. He was a go-to guy for riders who wanted their bikes done right. For 10 years Ron was a key figure on the burnout stage at the Dime’s “Burnout Wednesday”. He was a fixture behind the bar at the Dime on Sundays, often with a pot of his famous chili simmering nearby.
Vacationing and retirement brought much time spent in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where Ron enjoyed reading on the beach or by the pool and soaking up the warmth (and maybe some cerveza or tequila) as a retreat he cherished.
Ron couldn’t swim but never let that stop him from living large on the water, from Lake Michigan to the Bay of Banderas.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents John and Olga and siblings Donald, John and Mary, all of Michigan.
He is survived by a large, loving, blended family: his wife, Beverly; son Ronald Jr., (Jeanna) of Newcastle, Wyoming; daughter Wendy Palmer (Joe) of Glenrock, Wyoming; grandchildren Jennifer Monfre (Joseph) of Casper, Brady Palmer (Brittnay) of Glenrock, and Tyler Palmer of Casper; stepdaughters Jessica McMillin of Casper, Sarah Doll; grandchildren Kaden, Jacalyn and Lexi Thomas all of Fort Collins, Colorado; three additional grandchildren by marriage; 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; his dog Charlie; numerous nieces and nephews: and countless biker brothers and sisters.
He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.
Rest in peace Ron Gillis.
Inurnment will be at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 22, 2026, at Glenrock Cemetery in Glenrock, Wyo.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life at Hotel Higgins Glenrock, Wyoming at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations to Central Wyoming Hospice.
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