William Sullivan

William (Bill) Francis Sullivan passed away on May 21 2014 in Casper, Wyoming at the age of 73. Born in Denver, CO March 14 , 1941, he was the eldest son of William F and Hortense (Maroney) Sullivan, After attending Regis High School in Denver, he served in the Marines. He returned to Denver and married Kathleen Marie Bowlds , his high school friend. He was selling Singer sewing machines door to door before moving to GrandJunction as the store manager. He began his broadcasting career as news, weather, and sports broadcaster and salesman for KREZ in Durango, CO in in 1965. He devoted 43 years in various roles in television broadcasting , including on air appearances in "Sheriff Bill " Kids Program , Letters to Santa, and many live ( and notorious) television advertising commercials. He was a weather broadcaster and salesman at KREX in Grand Junction Colorado for ten years (in 1970s), before subsequently being promoted to Sales Manager, and eventually Station Manager. After 21 years in Grand Junction, he spent the next ten years managing television stations in Montana, and then Indiana. His leadership and human relations talents were well recognized and during this time served on the Board of the National Association of Broadcasters and became Chairman of the CBS Television Affiliates Board. In 2002 he moved to Casper, WY to oversee the establishment of the new NBC station KCWY 13, which in just 5 years was recognized (state wide) as Station of the Year in 2008. Just as long as his broadcasting career , was his love of service as a Shriner. He was active as a member of the El Jebel Temple in CO, the Baghdad Shrine Temple in Montana, and served as Public Relations Chairman for the Korein Temple in Wyoming. Nationally he served on the Imperial Public Relations Committee for 19 years. In his recent years of retirement he treasured his rewarding role as coordinator of travel for children receiving care at Shriner s Children's Hospitals across the country. Bill will be remembered for his incredible energy for community service - and he provided leadership to many organizations, including the United Way, Boy Scouts, Rotary Club and Lions Club, to name a few. He was recognized with the Montana's Governors Award for Humanities in 2008. He served on the boards and foundations of Community Hospital in Grand Jct, Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, the local Airport Authority Board as well as several other organizations. He will be fondly remembered among family , friends and coworkers , as one who lived life with energy, laughter , a special voice , and the love of family. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling, and attending Denver Broncos and Univ of Wyoming football games. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathleen, his six children, and 13 grandchildren: Dan (Jennifer) Sullivan, Kevin (Constance) Sullivan, Terry Sullivan , Molly (George) Murphy , Brian ( Monique) Sullivan, and Katie (Scott) Finholm., and 3 brothers Tim Sullivan (Janice) , Michael Sullivan( Trish) , and Chris (Stacy) and 2 sisters : Patricia Coates and Kathi (Jon) Sullivan. Services in the memory of Bill, begin in Casper on Sunday June 1, 2014 with a Viewing from 4-7pm and a Rosary at 7 pm at Bustards Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass begins Monday at 2 pm at St Anthony's of Padua in Casper . Reception and Celebration of Life follows at Casper Shrine Club, Burial will be in Grand Junction , CO on June 7, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Orchard Mesa Cemetery. A reception will follow the graveside services. In lieu of flowers , family requests any donations be made to the Casper Shrine Patient travel Fund or a charity of choice.

Service

Monday, June 2, 2014 2:00pm

St. Anthony's Catholic Church

7th and Center

Casper, Wyoming 82601

Visitation

Sunday, June 1, 2014 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601