Billy Ray Matzke

Born in Craig, Colorado on January 12, 1942, to Mary Lee and Wm Matzke. Bill graduated from Central High School and worked for Safeway, then joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1960. He was trained as a jet mechanic and was in the Marines until 1963. After discharge he had a job at a refinery, and during that time married his first love, Alice B. Wilson, in 1964.

In 1965, Bill went back into the U.S. Marine Corps, and in April 1966 went to Vietnam. He was there until March of 1967. At that point, he went to Officers Candidate School and stayed in the Marines until 1971, getting an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain.

During his marriage to Alice, he had three beautiful daughters he was so proud of- Keri Bailey (Gary), Kris Day (Rodney), and Nisha Clark (Donald). The marriage lasted 14 years, ending in divorce.

He spent time in Alaska working in 1983, then he rejoined the military and was on active duty with the Colorado National Guard until 1994. Bill then went to work at the Grand Junction VAMC for three years.

Bill had a second chance at love when he met and married Frankie C. Smith on December 24, 1992. With that marriage he acquired a stepson, Elgin Salchenberger (Tracey), who he thought of as the son he never had. Also, two granddaughters, Dannon Jiskra (Joel) in North Pole, Alaska, and great-granddaughters, Alora and Charli; and Samantha Barhite (Justin) in Grand Junction, and great-granddaughter, Ilyena Barhite.

Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Kay Fancher, and her husband Ray; sister, Arlene Williams; and cousin, Jim Kowach (Barbara).

He left behind his wife of 32 years; three loving daughters and their families; sister, Linda Lopez and her children, Valerie Lopez and Daniel Soto; grandchildren, McKenna, Kenneth, Rachel, and a grandson, Stanley Sullivan; nephew, Larry Fancher; and cousin and close friend, Rodney Reust “Jinx”, (together they tramped over many miles of back country hunting arrowheads and Spanish gold).

Bill also left behind his beloved and ever faithful dog, Shadow.

Services will take place on August 11, 2025, at 10 a.m., at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.