Obituary for William Brainard LANAM
William B. Lanam 1937-2019
William “Bill” Lanam passed away on December 19th, 2019, due to complication from Alzheimer’s, with his children Tom and Amy at his side. He was born April 18, 1937 as Leonard VanAsperen in Lake Andes, SD. He and three siblings found a loving home when they were adopted by Dr. Merwin and Mrs. Frances Lanam of Sioux Falls in 1947. The family moved to Denver where Bill attended East High.
He joined the US Marine Corps in 1956 and was a Captain’s Orderly on the U.S.S. Kearsarge. At age 22, a short union with Sally Nelson produced his first daughter, Shawn. Bill was honorably discharged in 1959 and spent three additional years in the Marine Corps Reserves. He met and married Sally Sigstad in 1961 and they settled in Boulder, CO. Together, they had three children, Scott, Tom and Amy. They divorced in 1987. Bill owned and operated three service stations in Boulder in the 60’s and 70’s. After he sold the service stations, he owned and operated Western Concrete. He also worked for Public Service Company of Colorado (now Xcel Energy) for 20 years at Valmont in Boulder and transferred to Cameo until he retired in 1998. Bill married Margaret Millard in 1988 and gained two more children, Gary and Judy. Bill and Margaret eventually settled in Montrose, Colorado.
Bill was an avid hunter and thoroughly cherished his decades-long friendship with the Heil family on their mountain ranch in Boulder County. He enjoyed playing cards, games, horseback riding, camping, fishing, bowling, golfing, 4-wheeling and drives in the mountains. During his life and in retirement, he filled his days with those activities. Bill also loved many special pets in his well-lived life.
Bill is survived by his wife Margaret of Montrose, CO; children Shawn (Christopher) Koller of Albuquerque, NM; Tom (Karla) Lanam of Grand Junction, CO; Amy (Darius “O.C.”) Oliver of Richmond, TX; Gary (Annie) Springer of Ridgway, CO; and Judy (Jason) Narenkivicius of Palisade, CO; twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Scott Lanam.
The family would like to thank HopeWest and some very special staff at Aspen Ridge Care Center for their exceptional love and support while caring for Bill. He requested that no services be held. Memorial contributions can be made in Bill Lanam’s name to www.HopeWestCo.org \ 2754 Compass Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506
William “Bill” Lanam passed away on December 19th, 2019, due to complication from Alzheimer’s, with his children Tom and Amy at his side. He was born April 18, 1937 as Leonard VanAsperen in Lake Andes, SD. He and three siblings found a loving home when they were adopted by Dr. Merwin and Mrs. Frances Lanam of Sioux Falls in 1947. The family moved to Denver where Bill attended East High.
He joined the US Marine Corps in 1956 and was a Captain’s Orderly on the U.S.S. Kearsarge. At age 22, a short union with Sally Nelson produced his first daughter, Shawn. Bill was honorably discharged in 1959 and spent three additional years in the Marine Corps Reserves. He met and married Sally Sigstad in 1961 and they settled in Boulder, CO. Together, they had three children, Scott, Tom and Amy. They divorced in 1987. Bill owned and operated three service stations in Boulder in the 60’s and 70’s. After he sold the service stations, he owned and operated Western Concrete. He also worked for Public Service Company of Colorado (now Xcel Energy) for 20 years at Valmont in Boulder and transferred to Cameo until he retired in 1998. Bill married Margaret Millard in 1988 and gained two more children, Gary and Judy. Bill and Margaret eventually settled in Montrose, Colorado.
Bill was an avid hunter and thoroughly cherished his decades-long friendship with the Heil family on their mountain ranch in Boulder County. He enjoyed playing cards, games, horseback riding, camping, fishing, bowling, golfing, 4-wheeling and drives in the mountains. During his life and in retirement, he filled his days with those activities. Bill also loved many special pets in his well-lived life.
Bill is survived by his wife Margaret of Montrose, CO; children Shawn (Christopher) Koller of Albuquerque, NM; Tom (Karla) Lanam of Grand Junction, CO; Amy (Darius “O.C.”) Oliver of Richmond, TX; Gary (Annie) Springer of Ridgway, CO; and Judy (Jason) Narenkivicius of Palisade, CO; twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Scott Lanam.
The family would like to thank HopeWest and some very special staff at Aspen Ridge Care Center for their exceptional love and support while caring for Bill. He requested that no services be held. Memorial contributions can be made in Bill Lanam’s name to www.HopeWestCo.org \ 2754 Compass Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506