Billy "Bill" Marvin Wisdom

Bill came into this world at the Solandt Memorial Hospital in Hayden, CO, to parents, Willard Marvin Wisdom and Alta Darlene (Zimmerman) Wisdom. The spitfire survived daily fishing trips, horseback rides, swims in the irrigation ditches, and hunting excursions with friends and family as he grew up in Craig, CO, with even a rattlesnake bite as a kid not holding him back.

During Bill’s teen years, the only thing that kept him from the great outdoors were his practices for football, basketball, wrestling, and taekwondo. His handsome smile filled the hallways of Moffat County High School where his caring personality allowed him to be friends with everyone until graduation in 1963.

After graduation he worked large construction projects until the draft pulled him into the army ranks for the Vietnam War. His glowing skills allowed him to train troops in the Army Corps of Engineers. The draft was his biggest blessing in life since it led him to his partner in life. One of his comrades, Raymond Rose, took him on a weekend break from Fort Leonard Wood to Chicago, and Bill met Raymond’s sister, Marylou. For 59 years, Bill and Marylou filled their lives with epic adventures and personal achievements as the ultimate dream team.

Once the war ended, Bill and Marylou spent time in Carbondale, Denver, and Craig, CO. Bill learned about his artistic talents through his work doing auto body painting. The couple also welcomed their daughters, Karri and Lori, to the family during that time. Bill had a huge heart full of love, and his first love was his family. He was always providing them with encouragement, support, and devotion.

When Bill and his family settled down in Craig, CO, and purchased a cattle ranch north of town, it brought him back to his second love—the outdoors--through snowmobiling, riding 4x4s, hunting, fishing, and chasing cows on horseback. That ranch also provided an abundance of cowboy stories to share over the years, including escaped bulls, pulled calves, and acres of hay to cut. The ranch also held his third love—animals. He cherished all his horses from Buck, his childhood buckskin, to P.J., his last beloved mare. While running the ranch, Bill also worked at Trapper Mine, running a plethora of types of heavy equipment for the coal mine until retiring in 2005.

In Bill’s retirement years, he guided his grandkids with his wealth of knowledge and talents and calm demeanor. He and his wife moved to Grand Junction, CO, to be closer to family and experience warmer weather. He spent his free days playing poker, shooting his guns, and visiting with friends, family, and strangers. He loved talking with anyone willing to engage in conversation!

Bill has joined those who preceded him in death: his daughter, Karri (Corey) Darlene Wagner and his parents and grandparents. His spirit is being carried on by his wife and best friend, Marylou Wisdom of Grand Junction, CO; his daughter, Lori (Jason) Plantiko of Grand Junction, CO; his grandchildren, Ashlyn Plantiko, Kayli Plantiko, Casey Greene all of Grand Junction, CO, and Rachel Greene of Phoenix, AZ; his brother, Darrell (Lynlee) Wisdom of Golden, CO; and his sister Sandra (Kenneth) Uecker of Coolidge, AZ.

Funeral services will be a graveside ceremony at 11am, Saturday, July 25, 2026, in the Craig Cemetery in Craig, CO, with dear friend and son-in-law, Corey Wagner, being the officiant. A reception to celebrate Bill’s life will follow at the Luttrell Barn.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Moffat County Humane Society in care of Grant Mortuary 621 Yampa Ave, Craig, CO 81625 to honor Bill’s love of his dogs, especially his companion Rex whom he had recently been devastated to have pass away.