William Boyd Gist

He adored peaceful sunrises and late-night karaoke. The Colorado mountains and winters in Mexico were his favorite, and better with a gin and tonic.

Bill loved learning and could rebuild a car, fly a plane, play guitar, and ski any slope. He was a font of dad jokes and music trivia, and he held a black belt in tae kwon do.

Dogs loved him, fish feared him, and his kids and grandkids mostly listened to him. They are all kind people and great drivers with excellent table manners, thanks to Bill. Beneath a sometimes gruff exterior, he was a beacon of security and love.

Bill was born in Clarksville, Texas, and graduated from Grand Junction’s Central High School (class of 1963) and Mesa College. He served as a language specialist in the U.S. Army. He lived in Wyoming and California before settling in Cedaredge.

Bill is missed terribly by his wife of 31 years, Marilyn Gist, brother Robert Gist and wife Tracy, daughters Juli Gist and partner Val McKee, Kim Baker and husband Sam, Natalie Sorrentino and husband Brett, son Nathan Weltmer, and might-as-well-be his son Ahron Meszaros, partner Alex Thurstin, and their son Zidane. Plus, grandkids Nick Lindbloom and his wife Tori, Jack Baker, Molly Baker, and Jacy Cline. His parents, Bill and Opal Gist, and stepdaughter, Lori Cline, were waiting on the other side. Bill helped six people as a registered organ/tissue donor as his final act of service.

Services will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado on March 15, 2024 at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at the Elks Lodge in Grand Junction, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to www.coloradoopenlands.org in his honor.