William Harry Bickell

William died at home on the “farm,” just shy of his 86th birthday, having lived with congestive heart disease for many years. He will be remembered as a kind and thoughtful man who loved his family, and who was appreciated by all who knew him for his terrific sense of humor.

He was born to Harry and Katherine Bickell on December 12, 1937, in Youngstown, Ohio. William was an only child; however, his parents fostered a young girl, Patty, whom he considered a sister. He graduated from Churchill, Ohio’s Liberty School in 1955. A talented musician, he played trumpet in an army band at Fort Gordon, Georgia for two years. Buzz, as he was called, went on to Ohio’s Bowling Green State University majoring in business and graduating with a degree in accounting. While in college, he joined Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and served as its president his senior year.

In December of 1960, Bill met Cathy Strouss, in Youngstown, Ohio and they were married in Colorado Springs. Together they had two sons, Scot William Bickell and Timothy Strouss Bickell.

He began his accounting career working in Denver at the major accounting firm, Haskins & Sells. He later joined a local firm in Boulder, Schone, Rhode & Hall, and spent a year as an internal auditor at the University of Colorado. In 1968, Bill established his own Public Accounting Practice in Boulder, specializing in Tax Law.

Bill mastered the art of fly fishing on the South Platte River, and the family was a member of the Swayback fishing club for many years. He also enjoyed playing tennis and golf with friends.

After he and Cathy purchased a small farm east of Boulder, Bill became a weekend farmer and began breeding Quarter Horses. He took up the sport of Cutting Horses, and later served as the president of the Western States Cutting Horse Association. Bill and Cathy enjoyed trail riding in the foothills and horse camping in the Colorado wilderness.

Bill loved music. Playing and collecting trumpets became passionate pastimes. Bill played for many years in the Rocky Mountain Brassworks, Boulder Concert Band and the Longmont Concert Band. He was also an avid reader, with science fiction being his favorite genre.

Bill and Cathy took many wonderful trips, traveling to England, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Argentina. Fond memories also include a barge trip tasting the wines of France and, most recently, a long boat trip down the Rhine in Germany.

Bill was predeceased by his parents Harry and Katherine Bickell. He is survived by his wife Catherine; son Scot Bickell and wife Jenny of Longmont, Colo; son Tim Bickell and partner Dianne

Gleason of Basalt, Colo; three grandchildren, Lydia, Luke, and Mercy Bickell, and daughter Marny Lee, her husband, Marvin, and their two children, of Round Rock, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions made in his name to the following organizations:

The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, 1600 Range St, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80301 https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/BoulderPhil

The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Wild Horse Refuge, 2999 CO Rd 53, Keenesburg, CO 80643 www.wildhorserefuge.org

Tru Hospice, 2594 Trailridge Dr. E, Lafayette, CO 80026

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in the Spring of 2024. If you would like to attend, please send an e-mail to [email protected], with the subject line “Celebration”.