William "Bill' Victor Dicks

Bill Dicks, a long-time resident of Widefield, CO passed away unexpectedly of Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in CO Springs. Bill was the third of seven children born to Elwood Edward “Red” Dicks and Eula Irene Hancock in Adams County, Iowa.

The family was of Cherokee Indian and Dutch/English heritage. Bill grew up on a farm where his parents and their children tended to their livestock, fields, and their coal mine. Bill dropped out of school when he was 13 to work in his Dad’s coal mine. He was very good at many types of work including blacksmithing. He volunteered, along with several other family members, to serve in World War II. He was in the Army in Japan during the bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. After World War II, Bill ran heavy equipment and played music on the side to earn extra money. He played music by ear and was able to play any stringed instrument. His specialty and favorite instrument was the pedal steel guitar. Over his lifetime had the privilege to play with many country western celebrities and local musicians wherever he lived. Bill entertained locally at Labor Day Fair in Fountain, CO., the El Paso County Fair in Calhan, various VFW’s, Knights of Columbus, and American Legion. Bill often played with Roy Gray (deceased) at American Legion Post, #38. His last band was with his musical partner Chip Latrell (deceased), and they has many musical adventures and several CD’s under the name “Colorado Buffalo Cowboys.” Bill and Chip spent a lot of time playing music at the old Prairie Dog Saloon in Peyton, CO. Bill wrote the song ”Prairie Dog Saloon” and memorialized the good times there in the song, as well as acknowledging the owners who became dear friends with him and Chip.

Bill married Margaret “Jean” Sample in 1947. They have three children: Ron, Russell and Rosemary. The family lived in Corning, Iowa and moved to Wichita, Kansas shortly after Ron was born in 1957. Along with his heavy equipment jobs, Bill also worked as a deputy sheriff while living in Corning, Iowa. While working for the City of Wichita, he field managed the Flood Control Department and managed to complete his GED and finish some college classes to get various certifications. In the late 1960’s Bill moved his family to Colorado Springs. He worked heavy equipment for various construction companies through the International Heavy Equipment Operators Union.

Bill was an artist. He not only played music; he wrote music and poetry. He was a very good artist and won awards for his beautiful hand-carved walking sticks. He was featured at the local Co Woodcarver’s Museum. Bill was a super patriot and when he and Jean bought their home in Widefield, he immediately installed a large flagpole to fly the American flag proudly in the front yard. Bill was a master gardener. He missed having a farm. He grew a big enough garden each year to share with his family, friends, and neighbors and with God’s Pantry in Fountain, Co.

For the past 30+ years, he and Jean would travel to Iowa so Bill and his nephew Claude “Bud” Freshour could play music at the Coal Miner’s Reunion. They would then go to Jean’s family reunion in Missouri before returning to Colorado. These trips were the high light of their year. Son, Ron took his Dad for one last trip to the reunions in summer of 2019.

Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife Jean, and daughter-in-law, Diane (Russell’s wife). Bill is survived by his daughter, Rosemary Iverson (Mike): sons Russell and Ron: niece Dana Sprawls Kraft (Dennis); cousin, Victor William “Buzz”, Jr.; nephew, Claude “Bud” Freshour; grandchildren Allyson Cochran, Chista Tinker, Leon Dicks, Kyle Dicks and great-grandson Devon Tinker.

There will be a viewing at Dove-Witt Family Mortuary, 6630 S. US Highway 85/87, Fountain, CO on March 19th from 6:00-8:00pm. The Memorial Service will be at the same location on March 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with family burial services at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

American Indian College Fund

8333 Greenwood BLVD #120

Denver, CO 80221

Ph. #: (303) 426-8900

Healing Waters (for Veterans)

[email protected]

(For Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing – Colorado Springs, CO Program)