William Charles Hower

Bill Hower, a jack of all trades who wore many hats throughout the course of his long and meaningful life, died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of the morning on April 17, 2025. He was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri to Marguerite Eilean Breit and William Harold Hower on November 21, 1934.

He spent the first few years of his life living in Savannah, Missouri with his mother’s family before moving with his aunt and uncle, Lucille (Breit) and Ted Graves, to Beulah, Colorado at the age of four. He remembered the drive to Colorado fondly – but frequently complained of the lack of air conditioning and space he endured for nine hours in the car. One of his favorite jobs when he first moved to Beulah was bringing water from the well to the house in a tiny bucket.

The highlight of his life was seeing Cleone McMichael for the first time when she was working at the movie theater ticket counter. He had recently graduated from high school and was about to set out on his celebratory road trip of the Pacific Coast Highway. Before he even talked to her, he swore to his best friend that he was going to marry her. The PCH road trip was another fond memory of his that was spoken of frequently. When he returned, he asked Cleone out on a date, married her on March 7th, 1954, and they went on to enjoy 61 years of marriage before her passing in November of 2015. He was always eager to tell that she had been engaged at the time they met, but she, and her father- preferred him to the existing fiancé, and that engagement was short lived.

Bill and Cleone had two children together- Darla, and William Charles Junior.

Throughout Bill’s career, he had many different jobs, including boiler engineer at Alpha Beta packing, driver of the 7Up and the Rainbo bread trucks, realtor, where he proudly learned to speak “un poco” Spanish, and he also ran his own small engine repair business. He enjoyed fixing things for people in the community, especially if it involved fixing snow blowers or lawn mowers.

Bill spent 20 years as president of the Beulah water district, contributing to his community and learning a great deal about the politics of water. He was always happy to engage in a discussion about them.

Of all of Bill’s attributes and accomplishments, the one that meant the most to him was his ability to play the guitar and sing. He was self-taught, and enjoyed playing hymns, folk songs, and sometimes songs of his own creation. He particularly enjoyed singing with his granddaughter, Megan. He also greatly enjoyed riding his motorcycle through mountain trails all over the state of Colorado.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Cleone, his Aunt Lucille and Uncle Ted, and brothers in-law Alvin McMichael and Albert Mayernick. He is survived by five siblings.

Gerald (Loretta) Hower, Doug Hower, Denise (Craig) Everhart, Sharon (Mike) Kirkendoll, and Patricia (Stan) Thompson, two sisters-in law, Shirley (Albert) Mayernick and Beverly (Bobby) Muse, as well as his two children, Darla (Art) Traeber, and Bill (Cheryl) Hower. He has five grandchildren- Matt Mader, Megan (Will) Stover, Alyssa (Tom) Chinnici, Sara (Todd) Lovstrom, Amanda Patterson, and one great-grandchild – Henry Stover. Bill is hopefully enjoying some quality time with his second great-grandchild, who will arrive this Fall. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and several cousins – including his special cousin, Connie (Leroy) Shull and good friend, Tim Marlowe.

Bill’s service will take place on Friday, May 9th. Graveside burial service will take place at Imperial Funeral Homes and Garden in Pueblo at 10am followed by a memorial service and lunch the Beulah Methodist Church, beginning at 11am. Reverend Major Rettig will preside.

Instead of flowers please make a donation to Gentiva Hospice or the Beulah United Methodist Church, in Bill’s name.