Willadeen Chamberlain

Willadeen Chamberlain, 83, entered her eternal home on December 1st, 2025. She will be remembered as a compassionate, altruistic, and kind soul whose unwavering willingness to listen, understand, and support others touched countless lives. Born June 8, 1942, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and raised in LaGrange, Wyoming, she carried an infectious smile and a giving spirit throughout her life.

Preceding her in death were her loving parents, John and Theda Arnold, and brother, Bob Arnold.

Willadeen is survived by her loving husband, Peter Newell, her three daughters and their families: Lori Perry (Andre, Kendi) & Jake Dawson (Noah)--Lachelle Brant (Kaiya & Kayson) & James Kapptie (Patton, Aspasia & Balin)—Lyndi & John Gilliam (Paetyn & Brody), & her step-son Mark Newell, (Christy, Reese, Briggs, & Cheryl), her sister Peggy Nighwonger, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins who she adored.

Willadeen spent her early years in Lagrange, Wyoming where she loved being a farm girl and the camaraderie of her close-knit cousin group. She attended school at LaGrange until she was a freshman in high school at which point she ventured East to attend Bob Jones in Greenville, South Carolina where she was a member of the infamous Flamingos literary society known for its mysterious antics. She returned to graduate from LaGrange High School, Class of 1960.

After graduating high school, she first attended Rockmont College in Colorado and completed her Bachelor’s Degree at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, class of 1964. God blessed her with a lifelong passion for cheerleading—first as a spirited supporter of the LaGrange and John Brown sports teams, and later as an unwavering encourager of the people she loved.

After graduating college, she married her high school sweetheart, Doug Chamberlain. Their early years together unfolded against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. When Doug was drafted into the Marines, life carried her first to Quantico, Virginia, and then across the Pacific to Oahu, Hawaii. There, while Doug served his tour in Vietnam, she poured her heart into teaching elementary school.

When Doug returned from Vietnam, life led them back to Wyoming. There, she completed her master’s degree in counseling from University of Wyoming and then poured her soul into her counseling career—while standing beside Doug as he pursued farming, ranching, and a career in politics. Amid these busy years, her greatest joy arrived: three beautiful daughters who became the center of her world.

In 1981, she moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming with her three daughters and began a remarkable 26-year career at Laramie County Community College. Starting as a College Counselor, she advanced to Director of Counseling and ultimately Vice President of Student Services.

Her contributions to student success were transformative. She led counseling and advising services, developed the Transitional Services Program supporting low-income single parents, and launched a state-of-the-art career center to foster professional growth. She played a pivotal role in campus development, including planning the first student housing. Committed to student wellness, she introduced alcohol and drug prevention initiatives, created the college’s first student orientation program, and oversaw student activities and graduations that enriched campus life. In recognition of her outstanding leadership and service, she was honored with the Governor’s Women of Distinction Award in 2007. Upon retiring from LCCC, she began a private counseling practice she ran for 9 years, providing compassionate support to help others navigate challenges and enrich their lives.

In 1983, she married her beloved husband of 42 years, Peter Newell. Together, they shared a passion for mental health and interpersonal communication—he as a psychologist, she as a counselor. Their life together was marked by a love of learning, meaningful conversations, and a spirit of adventure—traveling to destinations like Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, and London.

Her greatest joy was being a mother and grandmother. When her oldest grandchild, Kaiya, mispronounced grandma as “Momo,” the name stuck and became her cherished title. She rarely missed a moment—cheering at sporting events, applauding at music recitals, and smiling through horse shows and school performances.

She passed down her love of baking and holiday decorating, flower gardens, animals, golf, shopping and the Rockies. She was everyone’s trusted confidant—generous to a fault—and had a gift for turning ordinary days into magic. She loved make-believe, embraced messy creativity, and created wonder from the simplest things.

While Willadeen was raised in a Christian home, her faith became deeply and uniquely her own. She was a devoted member of Cheyenne Berean Church from the very beginning, and she carried her faith far beyond its walls—into her community—through her joy, kindness, and selfless love. A steadfast follower of Christ, she continued to seek Him earnestly throughout her life, always finding new ways to grow in her faith, even in her later years.

Willadeen had a true love of helping students succeed through education. Her many years at LCCC were spent counseling, guiding, mentoring and blessing students—with an ear to listen and arms to hug. In honor of her and in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to LCCC (Laramie County Community College) Foundation in Willadeen’s honor. Please visit https://lccc.wy.edu/donate and select Willadeen Chamberlain Scholarship from the list of funds.

A Celebration of Life for Willadeen Chamberlain will be held on Saturday, January 10, at 11:00 a.m. at Cheyenne Berean Church, located at 5716 Powderhouse Road, Cheyenne, WY 82009.