William August Picker

William August Picker, aka Bill, Willi, Menne, Opa and Ur Opa, died peacefully at home on Sunday, September 13th, 2026. He was born August 4th, 1933, in Isenstedt, Germany to August Hermann Picker and Sophie Luise Bekemeier. His childhood memories included caring for his younger sister, Monika, while navigating the challenges of World War II Germany. Bill had an adventurous spirit and engaged in life in a positive and energetic way. He spent his teen years apprenticing to become a German Master Baker. In search of adventure, he decided he would follow his Uncle Fred to America in 1956. He travelled aboard the SS America and arrived in Kansas where his uncle lived. He realized he would soon be drafted in the post war military if he stayed. He decided to enlist instead and joined the Army. He was assigned to the USAREUR Signal Operations Battalion, 7774th Army Unit in Seckenheim/Mannheim Germany.

During this time, he was sightseeing with some buddies and asked a young German girl, Heide Sibold, to act as tour guide for the Schwetzingen Castle near Heidelberg. Heide soon became his wife, and they moved back to Kansas where Bill went to Kansas State University to earn his GED, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering. While at K-State, two sons, Robert and Ralph, were born. He was hired at IBM in Boulder in 1966, where he worked for 28 years in various capacities. While working at IBM, the Picker family enjoyed taking German relatives all over the contiguous states in the family’s motorhome; camping, exploring, and visiting friends. Bill and Heide travelled often to Germany to see family and friends, but also all over the world, adventuring, hiking, cruising, scuba diving and dancing. One epic trip was sea kayaking in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska with Rob and two of his friends. They had some very interesting moments with whales, calving Glaciers and bears! Bill continued to bake and was known for his beautiful Black Forest Kirsch Torte and Sacher Torte cakes and friends looked forward to his German inspired Christmas cookies every year.

He was a “glass half full” kind of guy and always looked on the brighter side of things. He was an easy friend, a kind spirit and a hard worker. He taught his kids and grandkids a strong work ethic, to celebrate life and be proud of their German heritage. One of the most precious traditions was having Opa help the grandkids read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 2 in German every Christmas Eve. In this last year, whenever we would get ready to say goodbye, he would always say, “Thanks for checking-in.” We love you and miss you, Opa.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 1401 Spruce Street in Boulder on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 at 2pm. For parking: https://fumcboulder.org/about/contact-directions/ In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to All Roads at: https://allroadsboco.org/ways-to-give/, or 1st United Methodist Church at: https://fumcboulder.org/about/donating/

Bill was preceded in death by his parents August and Sophie Picker, son Ralph in 2022 and his wife Heide in 2025. He is survived by his younger sister Monika (Don) Jensen of St. Louis, MO, Rob Picker (Gay) of Superior, grandchildren Michael Picker (Jessi) of Butte, Montana, and Katie Hansen (Nate) and great-grandson, Levi, of Wichita, Kansas.