There will be a gaping hole left in the Saratoga, Platte Valley and Carbon County communities by the death of Loren “Teense” Willford, a former state legislator, music man and familiar face at countless public events around Cheyenne and southern Wyoming.
Willford, a fourth-generation Wyoming native, died early Tuesday morning at the age of 85 from cancer.
In addition to being a state legislator, Willford may be even more well known as an accomplished musical performer, routinely playing at many of the Platte Valley’s bars, parades and festivals. His renowned reputation garnered him the nickname “Voice of the Valley.”
His daughter Stacy Blomfelt said even though her father’s reputation made him a local legend, his reputation extended well beyond the Platte Valley, running into his acquaintances and friends whenever they traveled throughout all of Wyoming.
“Whenever he would meet someone, they would become a friend,” Blomfelt said. “That was his life. He couldn’t imagine living somewhere else.”
Blomfelt said Willford was still playing three shows a week into the last year of his life. Toward the end when he became too sick to play, Willford sadly told his daughter that he didn’t have the heart to tell his gigs he wouldn’t be able to make it.
“He didn’t want to let them down,” Blomfelt said.
‘Teensie’
Willford had a lifetime of incredible experiences and challenges.
Growing up, he was called “Teensie” after suffering from polio. After beating the disease, the slightly abbreviated version of the nickname stuck with him despite growing to a relatively normal height.
He served in the U.S. Army in the early 1960s, where he got a firsthand look at the hardships the people of East Germany were facing under the Soviet regime and some of the violence around the Berlin Wall.
During this time he visited the bunker where Adolf Hitler met his demise, according to a 2015 Saratoga Sun story. Willford attempted to stuff some historical artifacts into his boots, but was caught.
What was likely his last show was delivered from his hospital bed just a few days ago. There, Willford regaled his visitors with an impromptu performance, singing and playing guitar while on his back under the covers.
One Final Performance
“It was such a poignant moment,” said Lisa Sherrodd, who played bass guitar with Willford for many years.
Sherrodd was at this bedside performance where he played “Hey Bartender” by Johnny Lee, a song with a personal connection for the pair.
The first time the two played together, he insisted they play the song even though Sherrodd didn’t know it.
“He said, ‘You know it,’ and I said, ‘No I don’t,’” Sherrodd said with a laugh. “I would just follow along and after it was over he said, ‘You did great, you did fine.’”
After his hospital bed performance, Willford leaned in close to Sherrodd and told her that it had been an honor to play with her over the years and that she is “a really good bass player, I mean it.”
Sherrodd is also distantly related to Teense as her brother is married to Willford’s daughter.
Willford’s wife Sandy died earlier this year shortly before the couple were to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
A handful of people Cowboy State Daily spoke to also all brought up Willford’s relentlessly positive demeanor and friendliness to all.
“It’s a huge loss for the valley, a real shock,” Blomfelt said. “It’s going to take some time to get used to him not being here.”
Willford also represented his community in a more official capacity as executive director of the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce and as a prominent member of the Saratoga Masonic Lodge, which honored him in February.
Saratoga Mayor Chuck Davis remembers Willford for both his work in the Legislature and as an entertainer. Davis has memories of frequently seeing Willford’s face while the mayor was growing up in nearby Encampment.
“He was playing every function, every parade,” Davis said. “He was Mr. Platte Valley, you name it.”
Political Side
Willford served in the Wyoming Legislature from 1993-2002. During his time, he served as chairman of the House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources; Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions; and Agricultural, Public Lands and Water Resources committees.
Former legislator Roger Huckfeldt and Davis said Willford knew how to build alliances, and was always looking at the value of a bill for Wyoming rather than its sheer price tag.
“Teense never met a person that he didn’t like,” Huckfeldt said. “I guess that’s why he was very effective as a legislator. He could build bridges and make it work for everybody. He could find a way to bring you on board.”
Huckfeldt remembered how during each legislative session when the University of Wyoming had a game, Willford would get up in front of his fellow legislators and play “Cowboy Joe” to open up the day as they sang along.
Sherrodd remembered another performance she gave with Willford at Little America in Cheyenne to members of the Legislature. Willford was wearing a camel-colored jacket in honor of an ongoing tradition he would keep to always wear the outfit on “hump day,” Wednesday.
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman said on Facebook on Tuesday that Willford will be sorely missed. Willford had served with Hageman’s father Jim Hageman in the Legislature. Hageman told the Saratoga Sun earlier this year that she considered Willford a father figure and that he mentored her during her 2018 run for governor and 2022 bid for Congress.
“Teense was a good friend to both my father and me,” Hageman said on Facebook. “Always happy, upbeat, welcoming and strong in his faith, he was an inspiration and comfort to so many people. I considered him one of my very best advisors, and he will be sorely missed.”
Willford also worked as a member of U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ leadership team.
“Teense Willford was more than just our ‘Voice of the Valley,’ he was a diligent public servant, cherished family member and friend,” Lummis told Cowboy State Daily. “Teense never met a stranger, and I will forever be grateful for his incredible musical talent, humor, friendship and counsel. The Cowboy State has lost a beloved son and servant, and he will be deeply missed.”
Playing Off Into The Sunset
What seems to resonate most with people about Willford is his jovial attitude and spirit for life.
Fiddler Jack Wallace played with Willford for 50 years at the Old Baldy Club in Saratoga. In addition to playing guitar, Willford also played piano, trumpet and sang in choirs.
What Wallace said he’ll remember most about Willford was his incredible dedication to entertaining others. Driving a sleigh into the cold winter’s night, Willford would often play with his family’s band at the pavilion in Elk Mountain on New Year’s Eve. When the show was over, they would take the sleigh back home to his ranch, in the vessel lit by kerosene lamps, and fueled by Willford’s sheer blood and vinegar.
“If you didn’t want to be entertained, you better not be around Teense,” Wallace said.
Wilford's nephew Brad Willford said his uncle worked for 20 years to get the North Platte Valley Medical Center built in Saratoga, a facility that was completed in 2023.
"He stood up for a lot of things and a lot of people," he said. "I don't know if he had a single enemy in his life."
Contact Leo Wolfson at leo@cowboystatedaily.com
