Kadin Yeager

Chinook Contributor 

In the Casper College Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym, the sounds of basketball players moving up and down the court mix with the washing machine and rumbling dryer. The cycle finished sound goes off followed by swift noises of laundry being moved around and folded to perfection.  

In that laundry room is a man who has worked to provide the nice and clean uniforms for every athlete in the gymnasium for the past three years now.

The man who works in the laundry room is Bill Jenson. 

Jenson, for a long time, has been a staff member with the college with years of wisdom and experience. Jenson is now in his third year of volunteering with 24 years of work beforehand as a custodian. In total, Jenson has worked for 27 years at the college. 

When he moved to Casper, he had a friend who suggested him a night custodian job at Casper College.

“After Mrs. Jenson passed away. I was going to quit,” said Jenson. “He said to come to the gym, and I’ll make sure you stay here, and I’ve worked here since.”

Before working in Casper, Jenson went to the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he majored in business and says to have been quite the party animal. After college, Jenson worked at a bank as a bank teller in Cheyenne for 20 years. 

During his time working at the bank, he hadn’t missed a single day outside of vacation days. However, after 20 years went by, Jenson left the bank.

“I left the bank because they quit paying interest on savings,” Jenson said.

After Jenson quit his job as a bank teller, Jenson served in the Wyoming National Guard. 

Sometime later after serving in the national guard, Jenson moved to Torrington, Wyo. where he and his wife opened a restaurant called Paul’s family restaurant. 

After closing the restaurant, Jenson moved to Casper where from there he started to work for the college. 

Elizabeth Romsa, supervisor of campus services, helps Bill do everyday things and drives him to work from time to time. 

Romsa said she wouldn’t have the position she is in today had it not been for Jenson. 

“I didn’t have insurance at my former job, so my medical bills were a lot,” Romsa said. “Bill told me to come work at the college so I can help my son and that I can use him has a reference.”

Romsa used to work at a restaurant here in Casper as a waitress. Jenson, who used to be a usual customer at that restaurant, would end up offering her a job at Casper College.

Jenson doesn’t know when how much longer he plans to work for Casper College. However, he wants to keep going for as long as possible.

“I was here for a couple of years, and I had prostate cancer, and I was gone for six weeks,” said Jenson. “So, I don’t know. It just depends.”

Despite Jenson having past health problems, he has surpassed all of his family members.

“My brother passed away at 78, my dad passed away at 78, and my mother passed away at 68,” Jenson said.

Outside of being a party animal, Jenson likes to think of himself as someone who gets along with people very well and considers himself a very hardworking person. Jenson also values being respectful to others and wants others to keep doing the same.

“Been a good citizen and respect others,” said Jenson.

While Jenson’s future with the college may still be uncertain. One thing that is for sure is that he is a great contributor to the campus and has helped so many in the past. Jenson is the definition of a hard worker who has overcome obstacles and continues to provide a great service not only on campus, but to the community.