William Gene Lambdin

Local business owner, author and former teacher, Bill Lambdin, passed away peacefully at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins on October 8, 2025. He was 88. Bill was born on December 14, 1936, in Yale, Oklahoma, to Veta (Skeen) and Evan Lambdin. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class, he joined the Air Force with two goals in mind: to see the world and to earn enough money to attend college – he succeeded in both. Stationed in Germany, Bill traveled through Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy. Moved by the beauty of the Swiss Alps, he set his sights on finding a similar landscape in the United States. That search led him to Durango, Colorado, where he enrolled at Fort Lewis College. Bill met and married Peggy Hunt in Durango in 1960 and in 1961 their son, William Wolfgang, was born. They later moved to Sterling, Colorado where their daughter Heidi was born in 1967. Bill earned his master’s degree followed by his PhD in education, specializing in English literature, and taught at UNC in Greeley for many years. During his time as a teacher, the family spent summer breaks hiking, camping, and fishing the Rocky Mountains. Bill wrote several books, including Doublespeak Dictionary, a funny and sobering look at how political language shapes our culture, and Four-Legged Words, a humorous collection of tales told by cowboys. He also published articles regularly in the Washington Post. In the 70s and 80s Bill and Peggy started a jazz band with friends, playing in Sterling, Greeley and surrounding areas. Peg was the drummer, and Bill played electric and acoustic guitar and sang lead vocals. Later, they played golf and vacationed in Arizona and other places to pursue the game. They eventually moved to Fort Collins to live on Southridge golf course and enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains they both loved so much. In 1980 Bill and Peggy founded The Senior Voice newspaper which has earned awards and recognition from the Colorado Historical Society and other groups for its efforts to preserve Colorado and Wyoming heritage. Their son Wolfgang is the current owner/publisher of The Senior Voice, carrying on that legacy. Bill deeply valued education, staying active, and being creative. He continued using his computer, taking walks in nature, and writing stories until his final days. He held high expectations for himself and those he loved, firmly believing that high standards are essential to realizing our full potential. Bill also supported the education of his children and grandchildren, providing them with college opportunities. Above all, he took immense pride in the business, and most importantly, the family he and Peggy built together. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Evan Eugene and Veta Mae (Skeen) Lambdin, his sister, LaDawn (Lambdin) Ayres, and his loving wife of 62 years, Peggy Jo (Hunt) Lambdin. Survivors include his brother, Jerry J. Lambdin (wife Sharon) of Stillwater, Oklahoma, his son Wolfgang Lambdin (wife Barbara) of Fort Collins, and daughter Heidi Carney (husband Michael) of Chillicothe, Illinois. Grandchildren include Evan E. Lambdin (wife Angela) of Eaton, Tory W. Lambdin of Fort Collins, Lauren E. Carney of Chillicothe, Illinois, and great-grandchild Addison M. Lambdin, of Eaton. In lieu of services, Bill hoped to be remembered along with his wife Peggy, for their energy and their love of the outdoors – especially of Colorado. Please keep Bill’s family in your thoughts and leave comments and remembrances here for them to read.

Tributes

William Gene Lambdin

December 14, 1936 - October 8, 2025