William Ramon Arnold

William (Bill) was born February 11, 1933 at March Air Force Base near Riverside, CA to Grace Stephenson and Wilbur Arnold. He grew up mostly in the Klamath Falls, Oregon area. He graduated from high school in Hermiston, Oregon in 1951 and went on to college with an athletic scholarship at Oregon College to become a teacher. He taught grades 7-10 at Bend, Oregon and sixth grade at Riverton, Wyoming. Bill proudly served in the US Army for two years active duty and four years reserve duty.

Bill earned his PHD in mathematics education at the University of Oregon in 1968. He then was a professor of mathematics at the University of Northern Colorado and later a technical writer at Hewlett Packard in Fort Collins, CO. He also was a textbook author, software designer, private pilot, consultant, keynote speaker at conventions and author of a book of his life at age 81.

Bill was very athletic. He played football and ran track at the high school and college level. He was also on the Army track team while serving in Germany. In 1978 at age 45, he won the AAU National Masters Decathlon.

Bill had a love of the outdoors. He was active in the Carter Lake Sailing Club and the Experimental Aircraft Association where he gave many children their first ride in an airplane. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, hiker, and camper, and loved to travel especially with his wife, Janie.. He also loved his Brittany dogs, BJ, Rusty Boots, and Jake.

He is survived by his wife and best friend of 43 years, Janie, son Jeff (Karen) of Greeley, CO, son James (Laura) of Taupo, New Zealand, and daughter, Julie of Austin, TX. He has four grandchildren, Callie and Nate of New Zealand, and Heath and Mandy of Colorado. Two little great granddaughters, Cambria and Beth, live in New Zealand. He is also survived by his brother, George (Missy) Arnold of Rocklin, CA; and sister, Judy Ireton of Inverness, FL.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 am Monday, June 13th at Resthaven Memorial Gardens (8426 S. Hwy. 287, Fort Collins, Co.) followed by an Open House at the family home-Please contact family for details.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or APCOA for saving animals in need.