William Eugene Kresl II

Bill was born on January 30, 1931 to William E. Kresl Sr. and Edna Pauline (Arndt) Kresl in Tobias, NE. His childhood was spent helping in the family store until they moved to Denver, CO. He attended South High School until enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1949. He then served in Korean War as a Sergeant. When he returned from war, he attended the University of Colorado where he studied history and geology. He married his first wife, Cathy Gavend, and they had three children together, Bill, Terri and Susan. Later, he married Judy in Phippsburg, CO where their son Bobby was born, and then they moved to Lakewood, CO where their daughter Willa was born.

Bill worked on the railroad for 42 years as a locomotive engineer. He spent 30 years on coal trains for the Rio Grande Railroad, and then 12 years on passenger trains for Amtrak. It was then that he worked into Grand Junction, and decided to retire there. While living in Phippsburg, he also ran his own firewood business and saw sharpening service. Upon retiring, Bill was able to spend more time on his favorite pastimes, crossword puzzles and golf. He was also a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and was proud of being a Shriner for over 50 years. Bill also touched many lives, and made many friends, as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. His family was very grateful for the almost 17 years of sobriety he had.

William is survived by his children Bill, Terri, Susan and Willa, his brother Robert and a sister Jody, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Judy and son Robert.

A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2015 at Martin Mortuary in Grand Junction, CO. He will be laid to rest at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, CO at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to Alcoholics Anonymous of Western Colorado, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, or HopeWest Hospice.

Friends and family may leave their condolences at www.martinmortuary.com

William Eugene Kresl II, 84, Grand Junction, died Dec. 12, 2015, at HopeWest and Hospice Care Center.

Visitation will be at 11 a.m, with services at noon Saturday at Martin Mortuary Chapel.

Mr. Kresl was a railroad engineer.

He is survived by one son, William Kresl III of Phippsburg; three daughters, Terri Kurtenbach of Centennial, Susan Monet of Anchorage, Alaska, and Willa Petitt of Grand Junction; one brother, Robert of Parker; one sister, Jody Kresl of Citrus Heights, California; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.