William Thomas Kilgore

In Loving Memory

William Thomas Kilgore was born on January 12, 1939 to Arch and Ethel Kilgore in Ulysses, Kansas. He was the second of seven children. From early on, he cherished his role of caretaker to his parents and six siblings. At the age of seven, he moved with his family to Kiowa, Colorado, his lifelong home. He enjoyed working in his father’s drug store. He was a star basketball player at Kiowa High School, and also ran track and was a member of KHS’s first football team.

He graduated in 1956 and went on to Trinidad Junior College for one year, where he studied theatre and acting before moving on to the University of Northern Colorado. While at both institutions, he participated in ROTC, which ultimately led to his enlistment in the United States Air Force on December 10, 1959. He was stationed in Hawaii for much of this time. He served with duty and patriotism until 1964, when he had to return home to care for his ailing younger brother Rocky Joe. He cherished his service to his country deeply.

He married the love of his life, Freda Mae Ehmann, on December 18, 1965. He shared his life with her for the next fifty-four years. They had two daughters, Kimberly Kay, born on November 23, 1966, and Kelli Rae, born on April 3, 1968. He spent his days working as a mechanic and a gifted tractor painter and restorer for John Deere Tractors. He also loved cheering on his daughters’ athletic endeavors in volleyball, basketball, and track, including celebrating a volleyball State Championship in 1983.

In later life, he carried mail for the U.S. Postal Service and enjoyed his grandchildren, Kayla, Jordan, and Zach, who adored him with all they had. He also enjoyed having the neighbor children come over to ride their bikes and scooters. He was “Colorado Papa” to Maya Medrano, a dear family friend whose grandfather lives far away. He loved telling stories, tractors, classical music, John Wayne, and his congregation at Elizabeth Presbyterian Church. He was pure love in everything he did and to everyone he knew.

In the last few years of his life, he suffered from dementia from which he ultimately passed on October 16, 2019. He was surrounded and cared for by family. He is survived by his wife Freda, his daughter Kimberly and her granddaughter Bella, his daughter Kelli and his son-in-law Donnie, his granddaughter Kayla and her husband Manser, his grandson Jordan and his girlfriend Katie, his grandson Zachary, his brother Don, his sisters Janiel and Mary Martha, and many extended family and friends. He was adored by each of them and loved deeply. He will be missed more than words can say.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Bill’s honor to Elizabeth Presbyterian Church. Donations can be mailed to: Elizabeth Presbyterian Church PO Box 117, Elizabeth, CO 80107 or made online here: http://elizabethpc.org/donate