William G. Stewart

William G. Stewart succumbed to the effects of Alzheimer's disease October 14, 2012 in Louisville, Colorado. He was 88. He was born December 10, 1923 in Colby, Kansas. He attended Kansas State, New York and Columbia Universities, and graduated from the University of Denver with a major in radio. He also served with the United States Air Force from 1943 to 1946. Mr. Stewart spent his entire career in the broadcasting business including stations in Colby, Denver, and Pueblo. Mr. Stewart also worked at KFKA in Greeley for seven years. In 1951, he married Lila Jean Bohlender in Greeley, Colorado. After a year as manager of a radio station in Riverton, Wyoming, the couple purchased radio station KLMO in Longmont, Colorado in 1959. They increased the power of the station from 250 to 10, 000 watts and also established KLMO-FM in 1964. For many years, Mrs. Stewart was hostess of a popular daily program, "Happy Talk." The couple operated the stations until retiring. Mr. Stewart is survived by his widow, Lila Jean of Longmont. A daughter, Linda, preceded him in death in 2009. Mr. Stewart was a member of the First Methodist Church, the Longmont Kiwanis, Rotary and Elks Clubs, the Longmont Chamber of Commerce, a past board member of the Colorado Broadcasters Association, and in the Hall of Fame of the Colorado Broadcast Pioneers. He was also the Colorado Broadcaster of the Year in 1969.
The Stewart family is a benefactor of the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center and was instrumental in inaugurating a campaign that is currently underway to construct an auditorium addition to the museum building. A Graveside Service with military honors will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 3400 West 28th Street, Greeley. A memorial service will be scheduled in Longmont at a date to be announced. Contributions may be made to the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center, auditorium fund in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Ft. Collins, CO 80524.