William W. Culp

William was born on February 3rd, 1927 in Carlinville, Illinois. He lived on his parent’s family farm for 17 years. At the age of 17, a month before his 18th birthday he dropped out of school and enlisted in the Navy. At age 18 you were eligible to be drafted into the Army and probably the infantry, which he did not want. He was assigned to the Destroyer U.S.S. Dortch and served in the Pacific until Japan surrendered. The U.S.S Dortch was among the ships escorting the Battleship Missouri into Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Peace treaty. After his discharge from the Navy, he earned his G.E.D.

On November 13th, 1948 he married the love of his life, Fern Marie Desch in Springfield, Illinois. They were married for 66 years until the time of her passing in 2015.

He is survived by his son Christopher Wayne Culp of Loveland, and his daughter Brenda Neiry of Fort Collins, Colorado; granddaughters April Roos of Colorado, and Alicia Sprague of Alaska; his grandson William Christopher Culp of Colorado; four great-grandchildren: Mckinley Roos, Theodore Roos, & Autumn Roos of Colorado, and Cedar Sprague of Alaska; and by his brother Glen Culp of Albion, Michigan.

A Memorial Mass will be held for William on Thursday, May 29th, 2025 at 10am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loveland. Memories of William and words of condolence for his family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.