George WIlliam Jones

May 30, 1916 - December 8, 2013

George W. Jones (better known as Bill) passed away on December 8, 2013, at the age of 97.

He is survived by his daughter, Alice (Ladd) Frary; four grandsons; three great-granddaughtes; four great-grandsons, and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Ruth Elliott; daughter, Clarice (Bill) Dodd; parents, George T. and Elizabeth (Marks) Jones, and sister, Wanda Robinson.

He was born, in Baggs, Wyoming, Bill spent his pre-school years in that truly western community. The family then moved to the Craig-Hamilton area before finally settling on a small ranch north of Rifle, Colorado. He graduated from Rifle High School. As a youth, he spent summers working for various sheep outfits, packing supplies and moving camps. On occasion, he participated in rodeos by riding bucking horses. During wintertime, he was often seen skiing at Steamboat Springs where he excelled in ski jumping. During World War II, Bill was hired as a civilian ski instructor and taught skiing and snow shoeing to soldiers at Camp Hale. He also taught the troops how to handle pack mules.

Bill was one of the last of the ""Old Breed"" of State Game and Fish employees, retiring in 1981, after a total of 44 years service. He began his career with the State as a snow plow operator on Rabbit Ears and Berthoud passes. On one occasion, after rescuing the Game and Fish Director and his assistant, who were stuck in a snow bank, he was offered a position to survey high mountain ranges for suitable bighorn sheep habitat. He then began his lifetime occupation of trapping and transplanting wildlife species throughout Colorado. Many Bighorns seen today, owe their existence to his efforts. Bill was instrumental in bringing the first Rocky Mountain Goats to the State by spending two summers in British Columbia trapping and moving the animals here. Other species such as buffalo, elk, antelope, turkeys and grouse owe their distribution to Bill.

Bill was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and an avid outdoorsman. He thoroughly enjoyed camping with his family. He was a generous, kind and dignified gentleman and will be sorely missed.

Private graveside services are planned with a Celebration of Life to be held at a date to be set later in December.

In lieu of flowers, donations, in loving memory of Bill, may be made to HopeWest Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, or Mantey Heights Rehabilitation Center. Special thanks to Dr. Daniel Sullivan.

It was very special to Bill and his family that he had many visits and support from loved neighbors and friends. These visits were very meaningful.

Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.

Published in The Daily Sentinel on Dec. 12, 2013