William Joseph Bohn

Mr. Bohn was born in Grant Nebraska, and spent his early years in that area. In February of 1941, he and his family moved to a farm they had purchased west of Longmont.

A member of Future Farmers of America, Mr. Bohn was on the track team at Longmont High School, where he graduated with the class of 1948. Two years later, upon learning that his number was up first at the draft board, he enlisted in the Navy. Trained as a cook, he served for four years aboard a destroyer, the U.S.S. Gregory. His time in service included ports-of-call around the Pacific Rim, and deployments in support of the fight against Communist aggression during the Korean Conflict.

Returning to the Longmont area after leaving the Navy, Mr. Bohn met Phyllis Fiori of Frederick, Colorado. The two were married on June 26, 1957 at First Lutheran Church of Longmont. The following year, he decided to return to work in agriculture, and the couple moved back to the family farm. Starting in 1962, they worked side-by-side running the Fair Acres Dairy. Mr. Bohn and his wife sold the milking herd in 1992, but continued to reside on the farm.

Raising three children along the way, they were involved in the Niwot Elementary School PTA, and active with First Lutheran Church activities. Each December for sixty years in a row, Mr. Bohn tended the pot-bellied stove at the historic Ryssby church, warming the sanctuary during the annual candlelight Christmas services.

Along the way, Mr. Bohn was an active member of the American Legion Post #32, and a founding member of the post Honor Guard. He served on the boards of both the Boulder County and Colorado State Farm Bureau, holding several positions, for more than 20 years.

After selling the milking herd, he and his wife enjoyed travelling to conventions, reunions with U.S.S. Gregory shipmates, and visiting relatives in Germany – during Oktoberfest, of course. For many years, Mr. Bohn had season tickets to football games at Colorado State University, and he enjoyed attending the meetings of the St. Vrain Ram Boosters Club.

Mr. Bohn’s wife died in January, 2010.

He is survived by his daughter Mary (Pete) of Arvada, sons Karl (Patti) of Lubbock TX, and Veryl of Dallas TX; grandchildren Lelah Simon of Los Angeles and Nate Gensler of Lubbock, great-grandchildren Nathan, Nehemiah, Abigail and Gunner Gensler, also of Lubbock; and his brother Eugene, of Longmont.

Mr. Bohn also leaves behind his friend and travel companion Donna Befus, whom he had known since moving to the area in 1941.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Colorado Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund, the Ryssby Memorial Fund, American Legion Post 32 Honor Guard, or the organization of your choice.