Billy Bob Ashcraft

A rosary and visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary Chapel. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Mr. Ashcraft was the owner of Ashcraft Insurance Services.

He is survived by his wife, Myrna; six sons, Mike of Phoenix, Arizona, Mitch of Evanston, Wyoming, Matt and Marty, both of Grand Junction, Marshall Paul of Gateway, and Maury James of Tustin, California; one daughter, Deb Stegall of Grand Junction; 13 grandchildren;` and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to HopeWest Hospice Care Center, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, 81506; or to Catholic Outreach, 245 S. First St., Grand Junction 81501.

Billy Bob Ashcraft

October 11, 1929 - February 9, 2016

Billy Bob Ashcraft passed into the kingdom of Heaven on February 9, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on October 11, 1929, to LeRoy Ashcraft and Jessie Musser Ashcraft on their farm in Hollis, Kansas.

Bill's passion for the carnival and circus began as a young child when he was delighted by the shows that traveled through his small town each year. He remembered spending hours spinning an old bike tire on the farm while pretending it was the ferris wheel on a big show. In high school, he spent a summer working for a circus.

He bought his own small carnival and traveled throughout the Southwest to various events for nearly ten years. He was a proud lifelong member of the Circus Fans Association of America.

Bill loved Big Band music and was a drummer in a band. He also enjoyed car racing and traveled each year to the midget and sprint car races in Belleville, Kansas.

He will be remembered most for his witty sense of humor and his ability to tell stories that inspired laughter. He was a natural socialite who could strike up a conversation with anyone and find common ground. He also made sure that memories of those who had already passed were shared into the family folklore and never forgotten.

Above all, Bill loved his family.

On December 31, 1953, Bill married Myrna Eitzmann Ashcraft in Concordia, Kansas. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Albuquerque where Bill started his insurance career. After moving to Grand Junction, he started Ashcraft Insurance Services where he retired as a successful agent after 42 years.

They had nine children, Debra Anne Stegall of Grand Junction; Michael LeRoy (Jo Anne) of Phoenix; Mark Allen (deceased); Mitchell Jean (Kathi) of Evanston, Wyoming; Marshall Paul (Dena) of Gateway; Matthew Lynn of Grand Junction; Merrill Thomas (deceased); Maury James (Kelly) of Tustin, California, and Martin Kaye (Richie Ann) of Grand Junction. He was also a loving grandpa to 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his grandaughter, Brittany Marie.

Rosary and visitation will be from 5 - 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 15, at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. Mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Immculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions to Hopewest Hospice, 3090B North 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81506 or Catholic Outreach, 245 S. 1st St., Grand Junction, CO 81501.