William Sam Rivera

William Rivera, was born in Trinidad, CO on 2/10/29 to Tilly Gurule (deceased) and Sam Rivera (deceased). He had a brother Dave Rivera (deceased) and sister Nora Gurule (deceased). He went to the 8th grade and then enlisted in the Army in June 1946. He received the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan.

He married Dolores Trujillo on September 10, 1949 (66 years of marriage). They had one son William Rivera Jr. (deceased) born in 1953 (Gaylene Rivera-wife). He had 3 grandchildren Billy Rivera III (deceased), Kimberly Rivera (Gerardo Ontiveros-husband) and Jolene Antolak (Kris Antolak-husband). He has 8 great grandchildren Gerardo Ontiveros Jr., Joseph Rivera, Adam Rivera, Tyler Rivera, Brady Antolak, Brooke Antolak and Bentley Antolak.

He moved to Denver in 1954 where he worked at the brick yards, Pearl Mack construction and retired from Asarco Smelting Plant after 18 years.

He enjoyed spending time with family, hunting and fishing. He was always telling jokes, and making people laugh. He had lots of family and friends. He had his favorite people whom he always loved to pick on and play practical jokes on, this was his way of showing how much he cared for them. He enjoyed vacationing in Mexico and gambling in Las Vegas.

He had a good heart, was kind and always willing to help anyone. Everyone who knew him loved him. He will be truly missed.