Bill was the second of three boys born to William Luther Wolf and Edith Prudence Morrison Wolf in Denver, Colorado. He was a hard working young boy, delivering the Rocky Mountain News by bicycle every morning.
Bill had a natural talent for building and making things at a young age. He taught himself to build vehicles starting with a chug around age 9. His love affair with fast cars officially began when he was 13: On his way home from being paid for his newspaper route, a racecar driver made an offhand offer to sell his car. Little Billy just so happened to have the cash in hand. He promptly drove the car home and took it apart to learn how it worked. He rented a garage to keep his tools, and worked on making his car the fastest in Denver.
This naturally led to work as a mechanic. In fact, his love for cars got in the way of his completing high school on time. It also facilitated meeting the love of his life, Barbara Jo Stanion. She worked in a donut shop across the street from the filling station where he worked as a mechanic. They were married for 54 years. He enjoyed working at Coors in Golden in the ceramics department until he was unable to be promoted further without a college degree. Barb and Bill moved to Boulder for him to complete his mechanical engineering degree in three years. Upon his graduation in 1973, they moved to Greeley, Colorado for a career with Eastman Kodak film making company. He worked at Kodak for 25 years. They welcomed their daughters, Charlene and Kathleen, into the world with loving arms within a few years of their move to Greeley.
Bill served in the US Army First Infantry Division and Army Reserves for six years. Barb and Bill were members of the First United Methodist Church since 1974. He was also involved with Junior Achievement, Greeley Woodworking Club, and the Igniters car club. In retirement, he joined the Greeley Lions Club. He loved to go to Greeley preschools and screen young children for treatable eye conditions. His various service activities were some of the most fulfilling of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Wolf; Daughters Charlene Schmoker (Bill Schmoker), and Kathleen Travis (John-Eric Travis); grandsons, Garrett Schmoker, Jett Travis, and Cazes Travis. Brother, Robert Wolf (Barbara Wolf), as well as numerous nephews and extended family.
Preceded in death by his mother, father, and older brother Charles; Peewee, Dutch, Butch, Heidi, and Barney, his most faithful four-legged companions.
Memorial Service Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church 917 10th Ave Greeley, Colorado 80631.
