William "Pep" Albert Pepper

Pep was born outside of Gainesville, Florida, on July 13, 1932, to Claude Alton Pepper and Lillie Belle Hodge Pepper. He graduated from Lakeview High School in 1951. Soon after that he joined the U. S. Air Force and went to basic training, and completed his term of four years in Wichita Falls, Texas. While stationed there, he met Frances Phillips, who would later become his wife in October of 1955. To this union were born two daughters, Carolyn Lynn and Barbara Ann. After fulfilling his term in the military as an aircraft mechanic, he chose to join the Civil Service and later the Reserves, still doing the job he loved with diligence and passion. Due to being stationed at Davis AFB, they resided in Muskogee, Oklahoma, for eight years. When Davis AFB was closed, he was transferred to Tinker AFB in Midwest City, Oklahoma, where they lived for 23 years. Upon retirement, they split their time between Westcliffe, Colorado, and eastern Oklahoma. In 2018, they moved to Friendswood, Texas, to be closer to a daughter.

Pep enjoyed camping, playing card games at work as well as with family, and watching football. After retirement they particularly enjoyed excursions to explore areas of natural beauty, and living in their “little piece of heaven” in Westcliffe.

Pep was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Martin, and his son-in-law Steven Puls. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Frances, his daughters Lynn Puls and Ann Wilson and her husband Mike. He has six grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. He will be interred at Rosita Cemetery, near Westcliffe.