William Meredith Barney Jr., 76, of Big Piney, Wyoming passed away at his home August 5, 2016. Bill was born June 24, 1940 in Flushing, New York to William Meredith Barney Sr. and Charlotte May Benjamin Barney. He attended grade school in New York and graduated high school from Tilton Preparatory School in Tilton, New Hampshire. He attended the Colorado School of Mines where he earned a Bachelor of Science in geophysics and then Pennsylvania State University where he earned a PhD in astrophysics. He served his country in The U.S. Army Reserve from 1958-68 and was then active duty Army from 1968-70. After leaving the Army, he spent over two decades as an exploration geophysicist in the oil industry before becoming a rancher. He married his childhood sweetheart Ann Hetherington Welles December 22, 1961 in Denver, Colorado, and together they raised their two children Susan and Colin. Bill was a member of the Green River Cattleman's Association, Wyoming Stock Growers and Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and attended St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. He enjoyed astronomy, football, sailing, skiing, ice hockey, and his grandchildren's sports events. He is survived by his wife Ann; children Susan Barney and Colin (Teresa) Barney; and grandchildren Josie and Tristan Barney. He is preceded in death by his parents. A memorial funeral service will be held Monday August 15 at 11:00 A.M. at the Marbleton Senior Center. Interment and military honors will follow in the Plainview Cemetery, followed by lunch at the Senior Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Kickin' Cancer at PO Box 687, Pinedale, Wyoming 82941 (www.kickincancer.org)