‘Bill’ Wilford Ray Burgett
Sept. 28, 1928 ~ Feb. 3, 2018
Bill worked as a young boy in the cotton fields and later in the cotton gin. His older brother sent him a bus ticket and $50 to bring him to Powell, Wyo., in 1943. He went to work right away for Noble Drilling, at 14-years-old, working the many jobs of a rig and becoming a driller by the age of 16. He met the love of his life, Bonnie, in 1948 in the Rangely oil field. They traveled the country with their young family until 1959, when they decided to make their home in Rangely, Colo. After working for various oil companies and owning several himself, he retired from the industry in 1986.
Bill moved to Battlement Mesa, Colo., in 1987, buying a home and The Guzzler Liquor store for something to occupy his time. Retiring completely in 1992, he let Bonnie work at her leisure until 1998, when they moved to Grand Junction, Colo.
Bill enjoyed fishing with his friends, playing cards and telling stories of younger days.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; his parents, Almer and Viola; his siblings, Nora, Willie, Earl, Lucy, Earnest, Mary and Lillie; his son and wife, Buck and Georgeann; his daughter, Sue; and his grandson, Ryan.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Becky; son-in-law, Chuck; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.
We are asking in lieu of flowers that you make a contribution to HopeWest, 3090 N 12th St B, Grand Junction, Colo., 81506, or your local hospice in honor of Bill.
Services will be held at Callahan-Edfast, 2515 Patterson Rd., Grand Junction, Colo., 81505.
