William Neil Bill"" Whitmore

Bill was born on August 5, 1933 in Chanute, Kansas to Joseph Whitmore and Reba McPhillips Whitmore.

Bill attended schools in Chanute, graduating from Chanute High School where he was a letterman in basketball and baseball. He attended college at Washburn University, graduating with an engineering degree.

Bill grew up fast, helping his family, beginning work at a young age of 10 assisting his father fixing and cleaning at his family’s dance hall and billiards room. He was also able to begin working in the area oil fields at the age of 16. To get himself through college, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad. A quiet, modest, reverent country boy, he enjoyed raising horses, teaching himself how to train these beautiful animals.

Bill married Sharon Brinkmeyer on August 17, 1957 in Chanute, Kansas. The young couple moved to Longmont in 1963, where Bill took a position with Beech Aircraft. He worked in Boulder, rising to the supervisor position of the machine shop, on the prestigious Apollo Program.

Bill would pass on his education and experience, through his passion of his life, teaching. He returned to Longmont, joining the St. Vrain School District, helping develop the Machine Trades/Trigonometry and Blueprints department at the VoTech Center. He supported the VICA Club, taking classes to state and national competitions, where they won a number of state and national titles. He was extremely proud to introduce students to a growing field with tremendous professional opportunities. Watching many of these same students succeed in corporate America and starting their own business ventures. He retired in 1991.

In retirement, Bill found many ways to make himself useful. He took on different roles with IBM and assisted former students further grow their businesses in the Longmont area.

Bill enjoyed basketball, baseball/softball, and billiards playing in many adult leagues in Longmont. He was active in the Longmont Jaycees, and was a member of the B.P.O.Elks Club, American Legion and the M & M Dinner and Dance Club. A calm, honest and patient man, he will be fondly remembered for his non-waning loyalty and friendship and a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

Surviving are his wife of Longmont; three sons Jeff Whitmore of Denver, North Carolina; Joe Whitmore of Longmont; and James Whitmore of Portland, Oregon; four grandchildren Jory, Coby, Jenna and Sara Whitmore; and a sister Nancy (Ray) Schoepner of Tucson, Arizona; Several nephews and nieces.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 7, at the Howe Mortuary Chapel.

Contributions may be made to the Hospice of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2592 Trailridge, Suite A, Lafayette, CO. 80026.