William McLaughlin

Bill McLaughlin, son of Frederick and Florence (O’Conner) McLaughlin, was born and raised in San Francisco peacefully passed away on 7/11/11. He was surrounded by some of his family.

As a teenager he was the California Call Bulletin (newspaper) State Golf champion. He played a mean game of golf into his eighties when he could still beat the youngsters. He graduated from Lowell High School in 1938.

In 1943 he was stationed in LaJunta, CO where the Army Air Corp had a training base where he trained many B25 pilots. He was assigned to the Philippines arena where he piloted many missions. It was while in LaJunta he met and married Dorothy Klob. After being honorably discharged in 1947 he returned to San Francisco where Dorothy and his daughter were waiting for him.

It was in San Francisco Bill began his successful sales career. He moved his family to Chicago, IL in 1962 after he accepted a position with a major printing company. During his first year of employment he received an European trip award for being the best salesman of the year. He and Dorothy had a well-earned vacation. The highlight for Bill was visiting his Ireland.

He took an early retirement in 1972 and he, Dorothy and their younger daughter moved to Boulder, CO. He established a solid-cedar homes sales business in Golden, CO and provided employment for many members of his family. He sold and built hundreds of houses in Colorado, mostly in the mountains.

He retired again in 1994 to become Dorothy’s caregiver until she passed away in 2007. They thoroughly enjoyed 64 years of marriage. He spent the last four years relaxing.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy Klob McLaughlin, his younger daughter, Johna McLaughlin, a son-in-law, Paul K. Skwiot.

He is survived by daughters, Jennifer Skwiot of Longmont CO and Maura Armstrong (Tom) of Sedalia, CO and by a son, Bill McLaughlin Jr. (Laura) of Seattle, WA. He is also survived by seven grand children and four great-grand children.

Memorial Mass will be held at 10 AM on August 1st, 2011 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center. A reception will be held immediately following the service, also at St. Thomas Aquinas.

Memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare Center of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 1855 Plaza Dr., Louisville, 80027.

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