William K. Hitchcock

Willlam Hitchcock passed away on November 8, 2009 in Boulder, Coloradoafter a long illness. He was born February 21, 1919 in Wray, Colorado.He is survived by his wife, Diane Weller Hitchcock, and two stepsons,Cody and Doug Weller of Boulder, his daughter Victress Hitchcock ofCrestone, grandson Nick Sitko and his wife Michelle who are presentlyliving in Zambia, and a granddaughter Julia Sitko who lives in Guatemala,nephew Bill Hitchcock and his wife Rhonda of Ft. Collins, and neice LauraSchorzman of San Diego, CA.He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lucy Hitchcock ofWray, his sister Erma Maag of Peetz and brother Hugh.Bill graduated from Wray High School in 1937. He was member of the WrayEagles basketball team when they won their first ever Eastern ColoradoLeague championship in 1936.He attended University of Colorado, receiving his BA in 1941. In hissenior year, he was the first elected president of the student body. Mr. Hitchcock entered the Army Air Corps during World War II. Hecompleted 34 missions as a Heavy Bomber pilot out of England and wasdecorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross. At the end of the war,while still in London, he married Maxine Miller from Glendale, CA. Theydivorced in 1981.After his discharge, Bill Hitchcock entered the Foreign Service and begana distinguished career with the State Department until his retirement in1978In 1977, he was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Lettersfrom the University of Colorado “in recognition of his accomplishments inthe world of diplomatic affairs, and for his commitment to humane andcompassionate diplomacy”.Bill retired in Boulder and in 1987, he married Diane Weller. For thenext 20 years, he served on Denver’s Council on Foreign Relations andWorld Affairs Council. He also served on the University of Denver’sSocial Science Foundation. To the end of his life he closely followedinternational affairs and politics, and always enjoyed a livelydiscussion of the world’s events.There will be a memorial service on December 1, 2009 at 5:30 at CristMortuary in Boulder.