Charles William Elder Jr.

Bill Elder, 76, completed his earthly journey on April 25, 2022. Born in Sacramento, CA, to Charles William Elder, Sr. and Barbara (Tompkins) Elder, his childhood was spent in Birmingham, MI, and Oklahoma City, where he became an Eagle Scout. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University, where he was a Pi Kappa Alpha.

In 1969, Bill married Dorothy Kosanke in Oklahoma City. Their first home was Kansas City, where he worked for Bendix Corporation. They moved to Colorado in 1979 for his work at Broomfield’s Storage Technology. In 1985, he was hired by Hewlett Packard, Greeley, for whom he earned two U.S. patents.

Bill’s passion was building and restoring antique Ford hot rods. A master craftsman who thrived on engineering challenges, his crowning achievement was his gorgeous, award-winning 1936 woody wagon. He enjoyed hot rod shows and travel, visiting all 50 states and 10 foreign countries. Leader of his son’s Cub Scout den, Bill also volunteered in the classroom of his daughter, a 2nd grade teacher. He served on the Board of Directors of the Milliken Fire Department for 8 years, 3 of them as President.

Bill’s subtle wit was as sharp as his ability to solve crossword puzzles. Music was a theme in his life. He played clarinet as a kid, sang in college folk groups, served six years in the Kansas Army National Guard Band, built two guitars from scratch,

played saxophone with the Northern Colorado Concert Band, Kiwanis Kream of the Krop and UNC Jazz Lab Band VI, and sang in church choirs over 40 years.

Bill was a member of First Congregational Church, UCC, Greeley, for whom he served as Deacon and Trustee. A kind, modest man who never met a stranger, he lived by the Scouting Oath and the Ten Commandments. His quiet faith in God carried him through a three-year cancer ordeal, faced with courage and patience.

Above all, Bill loved his family. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 52 years; two children, Janet (Danny) Hanlon of Ft. Collins and Steven (DeAnna) of Hudson, IA; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, David (Karlene) of Atherton, CA, and Robert of Salem, OR, along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was proud of his heritage. Bill’s paternal grandparents were Scottish immigrants from whom the Elder brothers learned to sing ballads. His maternal 3rd great grandfather, Daniel D. Tompkins, was U.S. Vice President under James Monroe.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on July 26 at First Congregational Church, UCC, 2101 16th St., Greeley, CO, 80631. A livestream of the service can be viewed at https://youtu.be/FgkGypbYB-s. Gifts in Bill’s honor may be made to the music program at the church.