March 11, 1942 –June 20, 2022W.C. Cato –aka “Bugga” but everyone mostly called him “Cato” -the eldest of three children -was born in Mansfield, Louisiana on March 11, 1942 to Cleammite “Tina” Williams a mixed race black woman and William Cato a white man.He was raised by his grandparents, Lester and Annie B. Williams.As a child, Cato was very artistic and would use the Louisiana red clay to mold lots of towns filled with people and neat and orderly little houses –he would also build clay pads to catch the frogs that wandered in overnight.It was a fun–filled childhood –mostly –considering that he was a light skinned Black child, living in the segregated South.His life was changed forever –in a good way -in 1949 after the family home burned down and everyone moved to his Great-Uncle Sam and Aunt Fannie’s home on Tremont Street in Denver, Colorado.This is where he connected with his many cousins –and other relatives -including Jeff and Jerry Williams who also became lifelong friends and running buddies.Cato attended Ebert Elementary School, Morey, Jr. High and finally on to Manual High –where he was awarded a full scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute. Before he could take advantage of that honor –he dropped out of high school to join the U.S. Army.Cato was just 18 in March of 1960 when he enlisted.After Basic Training –he proudly joined the 82ndAirborne at Ft. Bragg North Carolina.He loved jumping out of airplanes.He was then sent to Germany where he spent the final two years of his military service.While in the Army, he was trained as a mechanic.Later in life, he would begin collecting every broken car that he could find that needed fixing and brought some of them back to life –others –went to the car junk yard.If anyone needed work done on a car or truck –they would call Cato.After his military service he came home to Denver where he met and fell in love with Catherine Burns. They married in August, 1965. The young couple then moved across country to join his mother and grandmother who had moved to Oakland, California.The marriage ended a few years later –saying they were both too young–despite their differences –he called her the love of his life.There would be many other women and adventures in his life –including two more marriages one to Jackie Mims and the other to Robin Cato; not to mention a long line of girlfriends.Sometime in the 1990’s at a Family Reunion in Denver, he reconnected with his high school crush Linda Taylor –they were together from that time until Linda passed away in 2019.Cato has always been very outspoken, with a corny sense of humor –he was very charming and a great storyteller who could entertain others for hours.He could also be a bit of a “butt-head” and if you didn’t know him you would not see that his rough talk was the cover for a very kind heart.He was always there for the people he loved.
Cato loved to play games –at times in his life he was a craps-shooting gambler, pool shark, bid whist master and dominoes king. He wanted to be a great guitar player –but sadly he only strummed –but loved it. He also loved old cowboy movies and would spend hours a day watching classic westerns. Cato was not blessed with children of his own –but he was like a father to many friends and family including Cousin James Williams -they had an unbreakable bond.He also spent many hours sharing wisdom with family and friends.Cato was preceded in death by his life-partner, Linda Taylor and younger brother Marion “Cochise” Harper, Jr.He is survived by his sister Rosie Lee Allen of Oakland, California, ex-wife Catherine Burns-Catoof Phoenix,Arizona, Sister-in-law, Peggy L. Harper, nieces,Lisa Harper and family, Charnine Ray-Owens and family, LaNiece Harper-Gordon and family, Nephews, Marion Harper III and family, Maurice Harper and family, Senior Denver cousins Esther Watson and family, Jerry Williams and family,James L Walker and family,and his California niece Tiffany Allen (Daughter of his ride-or-die friend –the late Briscoe Allen)and a host of great-nieces, nephews and cousins who have enriched his life and brought much joy to his later years.A personal note from sister Rosie Lee:“Thank You” to all of the warriors -friends and family -who were there to help my brother when he needed someone to wash his face, comb his hair, take him out for a cigarette break, on a road trip to the Golden Corral or those who just stopped by for a visit to sit and talk or listen to his many stories. My heart is filled with appreciation and gratitude! Special “thanks” to Cousins James Williams and Ralph Murray who have been and are -amazing.Big love to LaNiece Gordon, Patricia Williams, Chantai Pride and Lisa Harper for being there to care for him during his last days and last but never least our sister-in-law Peggy “Pegasus” Harper who moved into Franklin Park and was there day and night to insure that he would not be alone during his last hours. I am more than grateful. Love you all madly!The Family would like to thank all of the kind and caring professionals at Franklin Park Medical Center! They understood, accepted and really liked him. They are the best
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