J. W. "Bill" Allison

John William “Bill” Allison passed away peacefully at the age of 98 at his home on 6/25/2022 in the Harvey Park area of south Denver. He is survived by his daughter Betty Jo Cottrell (husband David), sons John Jr. (wife Lucy), Thomas, and Michael (wife Diane); granddaughters Jennifer Herrod (husband Timm) and Stephanie Jeffrey (husband Jody); and great grandchildren Brendan and Colin (mother Jennifer), and Izabella and Sophie (mother Stephanie). Bill was predeceased by his beautiful and loving wife Florence Elizabeth “Liz” in December of 1999.

Bill was born in Shreveport Louisiana on 7/21/1923 and raised in Homer and Olla Louisiana as an only child to John Lee “JL” Allison and Effie R Allison. He always went by his middle name and was known first as Billy as a child and young man and then later as Bill to his many friends, business associates and family. His father, JL, and grandfather, John Thermopolis “JT” Allison, were active in the burgeoning Louisiana and Texas Oil & Gas Industry where they operated oil well drilling rigs and oil field supply stores. Bill grew up next door to his grandparents and was raised with their youngest child Elizabeth who was born just three months before him and his uncle BF. Even though Liz was technically his Aunt, they really were more like brother and sister and inseparable companions looking for whatever mischief they could find.

By the time Bill reached his early teens, he already had become proficient with tools and was very mechanical, helping his father and grandfather in the family business. He also worked as a soda jerk at the local drugstore. He was able to get his first car at this early age by recovering an old Model A Ford junker which he was able to restore to running order thus starting a lifelong love of automobiles. Over the years Bill owned an incredible array of cars including Fords, Chevys, Chryslers, Lincolns, Cadillacs and in later years Jaguars and Rolls Royces.

In 1941 Bill moved to Natchitoches, LA to attend college at Louisiana State Normal School (now known as Northwestern State University of Louisiana). Being one of only a few people on campus with a car, including faculty, he soon became very popular. This is also when Bill first met the love of his life and future bride Florence Elizabeth Brock as well as her wonderful sister Dorothy Jane and future brother in law Ralph McFarland.

By the end of 1942 the American effort in World War II was full throttle and Bill was ready to serve his country. He volunteered to join the Army Air Corps, now known as the US Air Force, and entered service in January of 1943 at Fort Sam Houston. He trained for six months before being deployed to England in June as an airplane engine mechanic with the rank of Sargent. Just one month prior to shipping out he became engaged to Liz. Due to his strong leadership abilities, he soon became a crew chief and achieved the rank of Master Sargent. After the surrender of Germany in May of 1945, Bill still was unable to return home as he was deployed to southern Bavaria near Garmisch where he first learned to ski and developed a love of the sport and the mountains which he shared with his family in later years.

Bill spent a total of 36 months away and was discharged in late April of 1946. Only seven days later he married Elizabeth Brock on 5/4/1946. After many job offers from multiple family members, Bill decided to instead strike out on his own and the newly married couple moved to Graham, Texas and purchased a diner near the hospital. The young couple soon had their first child, Betty Jo, who was born in May of 1947. This is also when Bill decided the restaurant business was too much work and wasn’t for him so he decided to pursue a career in aircraft mechanics.

Bill soon moved his family to the Los Angeles area of California to attend Northrop Aeronautical Institute and received a Certification in Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Mechanics in July 1950. To support his family during this time, Bill and an old army buddy of his started selling army surplus, sunglasses and other popular items they could buy inexpensively around the LA area. Their second child, John Jr. was also born during this time in Inglewood in November 1949. Once certified in aviation, Bill was soon employed by Douglas Aircraft. Unfortunately, Bill’s career at Douglas was short lived due the Korean War, which started in June of 1950, and Bill was recalled for duty by the US Air Force and was sent to Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he moved Liz and the kids. Shortly thereafter their third child, Tom, was born in July 1951 just one day after Bill’s birthday.

Once Bill was discharged from the Air Force, the family moved to Amarillo, Texas. Bill and his uncle BF Allison were pursuing the idea of opening a chain of motels along the new interstate highway system that was spreading across the Western US. Unfortunately, this business venture didn’t come to fruition. Instead, Bill chose to go to work in the family contract oil drilling operation with his father and Uncle BF. He soon moved his family first to Casper, Wyoming and then, by 1954, to Fort Morgan, Colorado, where BF had moved his base of operations. Bill soon was spending most of his time commuting to Denver by train to run the business side of the venture. By 1957 the family had relocated to the Crestmoore neighborhood of east Denver where Betty, John, and Tom continued to make mischief.

By 1962, Bill had completely taken over the reins of the business and reincorporated as Allison Drilling Company. Sadly, BF passed early that year but in May, Bill and Liz’s fourth child, Mike, was born. Bill also bought his last and most favorite of all homes in Harvey Park of west Denver that year, the once grand but now rundown and overgrown Tex Harvey Estate. Undaunted, Bill and Liz had the limitless energy and initiative to make this their dream home which soon became the site of enumerable parties, dinners, teas, luaus, family get togethers and weddings. Bill took great pride in his home and spent much of his free time, well into his late eighties, caring for his home and expansive yard engaging the labor of whichever of his children he could at the time.

Entertaining was truly one of Bill’s greatest joys and, besides all of the events at his home, he often hosted parties and dinners at Pinehurst CC and the Denver Petroleum Club. He especially loved celebrating Christmas. He also always enjoyed having dinner out with friends and it was next to impossible to pick up the check if Bill was there. Bill and Liz also enjoyed traveling and went on many trips to destinations around the world including numerous cruises, adventures throughout Latin and South America, the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Alaska and of course their favorite, Hawaii. Bill and Liz were even charter members in the Ports of Call Travel Club which owned their own jets.

Bill stayed active in business, never missing a day of work and not retiring until he was 94. Besides oil and gas, he also became active in mineral drilling, and car and equipment leasing. At various times he had operations from California to Texas, Montana to Mexico. He also became active in banking and was involved in purchasing Colorado State Bank in the early sixties, forming the Colorado Funding Co. and later the Broomfield State Bank and sat on their respective boards. He also was on the boards of the Denver YMCA and Colorado Academy.

Despite his success in business, Bill always felt his biggest success was his family and was proud of his four children, their accomplishments and families. He was particularly fond of his two granddaughters, Jennifer and Stephanie, and was immensely delighted to be a part of the lives of his great grandchildren Brendan and Collin and Izabella and Sophie.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in to your favorite charity in honor of Bill Allison.