Wilfred "Willy" G. DuCharme

Willy DuCharme was born in Pittsfield Massachusetts, the oldest of 4 children to parents Wilford and Anna DuCharme. He is survived by his brother Kenny, sisters Noma and June, five children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Willy worked in the silk mills early in his life and married Marjorie and had a son, Will. The extended family moved to southern California in June 1959 for better employment opportunities, where Willy was a truck driver.

Willy had a great love of music. Although he couldn’t read music, he had a natural talent for playing the piano. He could hear a song once and could sit down and play it. His friend, Bill Wall, suggested he move with his wife and son to Colorado as greater opportunities existed in the music industry. Willy, Bill, and Tom Hollenbach formed a band and played in piano bars. Willy and Marj had 2 more daughters, Karen and Donna. They divorced in the early 60’s. He married Nona Ladd who was previously married and had 5 children. They had two daughters together, Laurie and Julie. Willy was preceded in death by his parents, his only son and one daughter from his first marriage, his second wife, and by two stepsons.

After music styles changed in the late 60’s, again Bill encouraged him to move into the hard surfaces industry. He became a master craftsman / small business owner of the trade and was often-sought out, sometimes by local celebrities for his talents. Working part-time several years after his first open-heart surgery, he finally retired at the age of 75.

Willy was passionate about his hobbies which included camping, hunting, fishing, and bowling, and also softball and golf in his younger years. He particularly loved fishing the Colorado River and would spend hours hiking to the perfect, secret fishing spot. In his later years, he enjoyed watching Broncos football.

Willy was quick to laugh and had a charming big smile that would light up any room. You couldn’t help but smile back. If he was sitting here right now, when the family discussed what his favorite color was, he would agree that it was rainbow trout. On his last day in hospice, he recognized the family that was able to be present and messages from family that couldn’t be there. This was evidenced by the big grin on his face when he heard his sister Noma’s voice mail message. He was loved, and we will miss him and his smile.

A funeral service for Wilfred will be held Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 7777 West 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, followed by a committal service from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CrownHillFuneral.com for the DuCharme family.