October 2, 1928-August 1, 2024
Bill Lister passed away on August 1st, 2024, at the age of 95. Born on October 2nd, 1928, in Jefferson City, Missouri, to Elmer William Lister and Bertha Arizona Lister, Bill moved with his family to Boulder, Colorado, in 1928 in a Model T. He graduated from Boulder High School in 1948.
Bill was drafted into the Army in 1949. After two years, he went into the reserves to care for his parents as they recovered from tuberculosis. He worked at JCPenney, where he met his wife, Josephine, in 1951. They married in 1953 and had a daughter Michelle in 1954. Bill returned to active duty in 1954 and served in Germany from 1955 to 1957 before being honorably discharged in 1959.
Following his military service, Bill worked as a Boulder police officer and began selling cars in 1960. He quickly became known for his extraordinary sales ability and owned a Lincoln Mercury dealership from 1967 to 1970. In 1970, Bill and Josephine moved to Arizona, where he continued wholesaling cars, working with American Salesmasters, and sold airplanes until his retirement.
Bill loved airplanes, began flying and received his pilot’s license in 1963. He also loved and collected old cars, and liked watching Western movies. Bill was a lifelong member of the Ouray Colorado Elks Lodge and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He supported the American Legion as a veteran. Known for his friendliness and honesty, Bill never met a stranger. He whistled a lot and spread joy wherever he went.
Bill is survived by his wife of 71 years, Josephine Lister, his daughter Michelle Becker, son-in-law Theodore Becker, grandson Massimo Becker and his wife Heather, and great-granddaughter Gemma Rose. He received additional care in his final days from close family members Shelly Fellin, Blake Perotti, and Bob Aegerter.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on August 17th, 2024, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Cave Creek, Arizona, followed by a luncheon. His remains will be interred later at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ouray, Colorado, on October 5th at 11 a.m. with lunch to follow at Ouray Elks.
Donations go to: St. Vincent de Paul, svdppg.org Disabled vets, dav.org
