William Clifford Hartwig

Bill passed away early Friday morning May 29, 2015 in Fort Collins, CO at the age of 75. He was born on September 21, 1939 at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO to Heinie and Thelma Hartwig. He was raised in the Fort Collins and Wellington, CO areas where his father farmed. Bill attended Fort Collins High School and graduated from Wellington High School in 1959. He married the love of his life, Linda Lou Folkerts of Lodgepole, NE on 7/30/1961 and gained an extended family that he adored. He joined the United States Air Force and served in the 274th Tactical Air Command Squadron in Okinawa, Japan during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He then was stationed at Edwards Airforce Base in California working on the XB70 and at the AEC Test Site in Mercury, NV. The family moved to Houston, TX where he worked at the Manned Space Center in the acoustical lab on the Apollo Space Project. At Colorado State University, he worked on the Atlantic Tropical Experiment with the Global Atmospheric Research Program. It was his job to record information while flying through hurricanes. For 3M Company he was a repair technician for their equipment, traveling all over Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado. Bill and Linda returned to Fort Collins with their three daughters. After his fathers’ death, his mother came to live with the family. In 1988 Bill moved to Las Cruces, NM where he worked at New Mexico State University in the Astronomy Department. He maintained all NMSU telescopes and crafted components for their experiments. He loved working with Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto. When he retired he did so by building his bride one last house, blood, sweat and tears in Torrington, WY. He attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Morrill, NE. Bill loved to work with his hands. He loved the outdoors. Fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, were all his passions. Most of all he loved exploring on the ATV with Linda riding shotgun. He was a self taught “jack of all trades” who built two homes himself and remodeled many more. He was able to build or fix almost anything. He was an artist, painting pictures, throwing pottery and doing leatherwork. He even learned to cook Chinese cuisine. He learned to sail. He enjoyed Nascar Racing and Football. Bill was always willing to teach anyone whatever he could. Bill was ornery, always one to drop ice down your neck, throwing wet boots into the fireplace, or convincing his grandsons of the existence of the Easter Pig. He was also sentimental and loving, always for one for a big hug or a snuggle. He was super smart and very hard working. He lent a helping hand to family, friends, neighbors and strangers. He was loved. He will leave a hole in the hearts of those who loved him. Bill was survived in death by his best friend and beloved wife of 53 years Linda Hartwig of Torrington, WY; daughters Jerei Krejci of Wheatland, WY, Pennie Brollier of Douglas, WY, and Denise Blasius of Fort Collins, CO; grandsons Levi Crowe of Craig, CO, Bladen Brollier of Douglas, WY, Brenden Krejci of Cheyenne, WY, Tanner Krejci of Wheatland, WY; great grandson Kacen Krejci of Cheyenne, WY; many nieces, nephews and their families; lastly numerous precious friends across the country. Bill was preceded in death by; parents Heinie and Thelma Hartwig of Wellington, CO; sister Maryann Gideon of Wellington, CO. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday June 3, 2015 at 10:30am at Trinity Lutheran Church 405 Jackson St. Morrill, NE. A viewing will be held Thursday June 4, 2015 between 9:00am and 12:00pm at Bohlender Funeral Home 121 West Olive St. Fort Collins, CO. The graveside service is to follow at 1:30pm at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, CO. Memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church in Morrill, NE. in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

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William Clifford Hartwig

September 21, 1939 - May 29, 2015