Willis Francis Witter

Willis ?Bill? F. Witter II, born May 11, 1931, died Thursday February 1, 2007 at Longmont United Hospital at the age of 75. He is survived by his children Mark Witter, Kelli Witter, Billy and Sara Witter of Colorado, and seven brothers and sisters: Lucy McCarthy of Alaska, Terry Knefley of North Carolina, Michael and Bernard Knefley of Pennsylvania, Maryellen Perry of Virginia, Adrienne Levendusky of New York, and Patrick Knefley of Maryland, and by two grandchildren, Mason and Alexis Witter.Bill was born and raised in Brookfield, NY. After high school, Bill attended Cornell University where he studied science and was a member of Cornell?s esteemed Big Red Band. Bill was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Bill graduated with a master?s degree and worked briefly as a dairy farm inspector. He then pursued a career as a science teacher at Onteora High School in Boiceville, NY. In addition to teaching science at OCS, Bill was a high school football and basketball coach and also created a cutting-edge HS computer class in the early ?80s. For several years during summer break Bill was a ski instructor in Bariloche, Argentina.Bill resided in upper New York State in the Catskill Mountains, where his love of skiing and mountains grew. Midway through his teaching career he met his bride-to-be, Gertrude Spoljaric. They married, started a family, and after seventeen years Bill retired from teaching and moved his family west to Colorado. Once in Colorado, Bill began working for IBM as a technical writer. He was a dynamic leader at IBM and earned several commendations for his work. Outside of work, Bill saw living in Colorado as a chance to become a better athlete; winters were spent skiing steep slopes and summers spent exploring mountains or playing numerous tennis matches. One winter was spent as a ?Mountain Host? at Winter Park. Bill couldn?t have been happier.Bill?s children relied on him for sound advice and a strong shoulder. His siblings held him in high regard and often sought their brother?s advice on matters of life and love.Willis F. Witter continually pursued numerous loves in his life ? a love of music, of shared laughter, of a good powder day, of remaining active and fit, of wonderful friends and beloved family. He was admired and respected by many.A memorial service for Bill will be held at Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman St. in Longmont on Monday, February 5, 2007 at 11am. Please share your thoughts, memories, and condolences with the family at www.howemortuary.com.