William “Bill” Allen Osthoff was born on May 2, 1951 in Denver Colorado and died on May 26, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents William Leighton Osthoff and Joan “Johnnie” Sylvia Dearhammer Osthoff. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Mary Ann Schacher, two children Sylvia Jean Haase (Shaun), Justin William Osthoff, and a sister Susan Sylvia Osthoff. He had two grandchildren Kaili Ann Haase and Kane Allen Haase, and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
After moving there as a child, he lived in Douglas County for over 60 years. He married Mary Ann Schacher in 1981 and together they had 2 children. Sylvia Jean in 1986, and Justin William in 1988.
He worked in the elevator industry from his high school graduation until his retirement in 2013. He was an expert in his industry and was awarded the gold honorary award from his local union in 2013. He retired with an incredible 6 years of overtime to his name. He had a passion for teaching and loved to share his knowledge of elevators, motorcycles, welding, and more. One of the greatest gifts he gave his children was his good work ethic, second only to his love for them both.
Bill was an avid motorcycle enthusiast. He was a member of the Sports Riders Association from its inception and was inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2021. He loved every type of motorcycle. He traveled all over the US and Europe riding, racing, and loving the sport.
Life was not without it’s struggles. He battled cancer, took his fair share of spills off a motorcycle, and later in life struggled with other health problems. Bill never gave up during these struggles. His favorite saying during tough times was “it’s just a speed bump in life, slow down, roll over it, and then haul ass”. He loved life and had an unflinching desire to make the most of what it had to offer.
Bill enjoyed country music, especially Allen Jackson and Don Williams. His hobbies were fabricating, welding, and building just about anything from little widgets to solar systems, even his own log house in the woods. Bill was a fervent collector of recycled metal. He never saw a piece of scrap that he didn’t want to bring home. Where others saw scrap, he would imagine endless possibilities.
Perhaps the best way to describe Bill and his take on life and death is this quote by Hunter S. Thompson:
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a ride!’.
Bill will be deeply missed by those who knew him. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Wounded Warriors Project.
A celebration of life service for Bill will be held Monday, June 3, 2024 at 11:30 AM at Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel, 407 Jerry Street, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Following the celebration of life service will be a graveside at 1:00 PM at Bear Canon Cemetery.
