Bill Lorenz

Bill Lorenz passed away peacefully on July 29 in Lakewood, CO. Born on February 2, 1936 to Willy and Anna Lorenz. He had a unique and remarkable 82 year journey. He grew up in Mainz, Germany with his brother, Norbert and parents. His youth was interrupted by WWII. He lived through bombed out buildings, underground shelters and stealing food off passing trains. Food became more than a necessity to him. It became his passion. They were relocated to Bavaria where, as the war progressed the baby carriage that had been used to haul water was given away to the soldiers. Life was hard. He did not believe in wasting food and later in life was dedicated in making sure everyone else had a good meal too, whether they could afford it or not. He finished eighth grade and started a three year apprenticeship in the hospitality field at the advice of his father who was a chef. While at Wiesbaden Air Base working at the officer club he met an Army Sargent that changed his life by sponsoring him to come to Aurora, CO. He arrived in the United States at 20 years old with nothing. As he started working he began to look for a place to build his vision, a restaurant in the mountains. To Black Hawk he came. One night while taking a break he met the love of his life, college student and opera waitress Kay. It was a whirlwind romance ending in a marriage that lasted a lifetime.

Bill started in public service as a Justice of the Peace, then a City Alderman and eventually the Mayor of Black Hawk. During this time on behalf of Black Hawk, working with Central City and Cripple Creek, he successfully spearheaded a constitutional amendment to put gaming on the Colorado ballot. With the legalization of gaming in Colorado he was no longer able to hold public office as a casino owner and he retired from public service in 1991. His 18 years of public service are memorialized on the historical record plaques that reside in the current city hall. The Black Forest Restaurant continued to flourish and when the casino closed, the restaurant moved to Nederland to continue until his retirement in 2017. He was a lifetime member of the Central City Elks and received the lifetime achievement award for his service in 2017.

Bill and Kay raised 5 children, Heidi (Ed) Boswell-Pasic, Lisa Artz, Tony (Mary) Lorenz, Stephanie (Al) Elio, Jeffrey (Suzi) Lorenz. Regular family dinners were a tradition. He embraced and supported their many interests and activities, enjoyed knowing their friends, and loved the growing addition of sons and daughters through marriages. He was an involved grandfather to 16 – Matthew (Jennifer), Jessica (Tim). Thomas, Michael, Kim, Anthony (Brandi), Katie (Travis), David (LaShara), Kelly, Kristofer, Shelby (Cody), Lexi, Eryk, Wesley, Will, and Sydney. As well as the 8 great-grandchildren, Kiley, Conner, Blake, Caliee, Mason, Palma, Emma and Colton. He always made time to chat and was known for his “Grandpa stories”. One of his greatest joys was seeing his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren together. His love and legacy will live on through all the people that he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother.

Please join our family for Mass and celebration of Bill’s life on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at Saint Joan of Arc, 12735 W 58th Ave, Arvada CO 80002. The family will hold a reception beginning at noon with the service to follow at 2 pm. Burial will follow the service at Crown Hill Cemetery, 7777 W 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Rosary Service will be also at Crown Hill cemetery, Wednesday, August 15, 2018 with the viewing at 5:30 pm and rosary at 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill Lorenz’s honor to the American Diabetes Association at 2460 West 26th Ave # 500C Denver CO 80211 or Gilpin County Food Bank at 2960 Dory Hill Road Suite 100, Black Hawk CO 80422 303-582-5444.