William "Bill" Charles
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Bill Charles, 87, passed away Friday, February 26, 2021, from cancer at HopeWest Hospice.
Bill was born on May 5, 1933 in Montrose, Colorado to John and Nora (Paxton) Charles.
Bill married Cathy Charles (Smith) "my million dollar wife... and that's after taxes", on June 21, 1954. They were married 66 years.
Bill grew up in Montrose and Ouray. He played basketball and football for Ouray High School, graduating in 1951. He worked at the Idarado Mine in Ouray until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1953. He served as a radar technician in Thule, Greenland until his honorable discharge in 1955. He returned to Ouray and work at the Campbird Mine as a lab technician. He later worked for the state of Colorado in Walsenburg. He worked many years for Union Carbide in Uravan, Grand Junction and Blanding, Utah as a mill operator, metallurgical technician and head chemist. He then worked for Cyprus Minerals in Tonopah, NV and Tucson, AZ.
After retiring, Bill moved back to Grand Junction. Bill enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, woodworking, gardening, music and "the absolute joy" of being with his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife, Cathy, sister, Jeannie Straw, his children, Carolyn Ganskow, Leonard (Melody) Charles, Cindy (Derek) Webster, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren and one foster great grandchild.
Bill will be remembered by his family and friends for his wonderful sense of humor, laugh, childhood stories and beautiful, big smile.
At Bill's request no services will be held. Gift or contributions may be made to HopeWest 3090B North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506.