Billie "Dale" Karns passed away peacefully at his home on July 16, 2025, after surrounded by family. Dale was born in Fort Collins, CO on July 18, 1933, to Lewis and Mary Karns and was raised at the homestead on Bull Mountain.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Arthur "Sammy", and Raymond. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Loretta (Gebhardt) of Fort Collins, CO, and their four children: David (Ann) of Galeton, CO, Mark (Caren) of Greeley, CO, Thomas (Lisa) of Fort Collins, CO and Laura (Louis) of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren Lee (Destiny), Aron (Kristina), Stephen, Dantevious (Christina), Ashley (Shaun), Ryan (Ellie), Resha (Kendrell), Kaitlynn, Kelly (Callie), and Derek; 11 great grandchildren; sister Irene; brother Jack; and many nieces and nephews.
Dale was drafted into the US Army in 1953 where he served two years active duty and was stationed in England. When he was discharged from active duty he enlisted in the Army Reserves and served for another 8 years. After returning from the military he worked at Forney Industries where he met his beautiful wife Loretta and they were married on November 27, 1960, in Windsor, CO. They bought their first home on Oak Street in Fort Collins where David, Mark and Tom were born and later moved the family to their current residence north of Fort Collins, CO in November of 1967 where they were blessed with Laura.
Dale was a lifelong truck driver working for various companies including owning his own trucking company L & D Trucking, LLC up to retirement. Due to boredom, he came out of retirement and went to work for Weinrick Construction Company for the next few years until he retired again. He was also known to help his fellow truckers when they were in need. When he finally fully retired, he enjoyed providing day care for the great grandkids, making furniture with his brothers, painting, helping his kids with home projects, being involved in their church and spending time with his wife, kids, and many friends. That was very apparent by the number of people who visited in his last few days, and he will be sorely missed.
A Funeral Service is planned for Monday, July 28, 2025, at Faith Church of Windsor, 1020 Walnut Street, Windsor, CO 80550: Viewing at 10:30am, Funeral Service at 11:30am, Burial at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery at 2:30pm.