Obituary of William Witzel

View Video Tribute William Don Witzel was born on January 9, 1927 to William Henry and Martha Marie (Krueger) Witzel on the farm north of Kanorado, Kansas. He was named Billie Don at his birth, but later changed his name to William Don. Bill or Billy, as he was known, was the last of five children. He departed from his life on June 5, 2007 at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital. He attended the Plainview country school until the eighth grade. The family moved to a farm south of Bethune and there he helped his father farm and raised sheep and cattle. Bill was drafted into the Army in 1945 and when he was discharged he returned to the family farm. He married Betty Lou Boyd on February 18, 1947 in Goodland, Kansas. They spent the night in a hotel in Burlington and the following morning they returned home to feed the cattle due to a big snowstorm. This union was blessed with three children, Kenneth Paul and twins Donna Fay and Daniel Ray. In 1958, Bill and Betty moved to Denver, Colorado to care for his parents. Bill worked at the Sigmans Meat Packing Co for seven years. Bill and Betty moved back to the family farm south of Bethune in 1965 where Bill farmed and raised cattle. It was there that Bill lived until 2006 when he moved in with his son, Daniel, north of Stratton. Throughout the years on the farm, many a niece, nephew, or cousin would come to spend the summer with Uncle Bill and Aunt Betty. A few even lived with them and attended school. Everyone remembers and will never forget the love and support they were given. Anyone visiting the farm always felt the loving and warm atmosphere. Bill was a loving grandfather and was always available to give advice and comfort. Grandpa loved hunting and fishing. Fishing trips with the grandchildren (no parents allowed) was something Grandpa and the grandchildren always enjoyed. Bill enjoyed elk and pheasant hunting with many of his friends. Pheasant season always brought Marv and his marble game, which could last well into the night. Bill was greeted in heaven by his wife, Betty, his parents, William and Martha, two brothers, Ezra and Frank, two sisters, Margaret Kirby and Della Simmons, one grandson, Andrew William Gwyn and one granddaughter, Wendy Sue Witzel. Bill will be greatly missed by his daughter, Donna Gwyn and husband Dave of Stratton, two sons, Kenneth and wife Donna of Bethune, Daniel and wife Patty of Stratton, eleven grandchildren; Kip, Todd, Lance, Kyle, Jim, Kelly, Ryan, and Scott Witzel, LaDawn Martinez, Amber Davis, and Katina Isenbart, sixteen great grandchildren, brother-in-law, Raymond Boyd and wife Bessie of Burlington, Jesse Boyd and wife Joy of Westcliffe, sister-in-law, Rose Boyd of Penrose, Ruth Ruth Minson and husband Tom of Pueblo, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral services for Mr. Witzel were held on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Church with Pastor Ralph Datema officiating. Burial followed at the Fairview Cemetery, Burlington, Colorado. Visitation was held on Friday, June 8, 2007 at the Love Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorials may be made in William’s name to the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital and may be left at the First National Bank, Stratton, Colorado.