William Ray Cowgill

Bill Cowgill Obituary William Ray Cowgill, better known as Bill, was born on October 23, 1947 in Denver, Colorado and passed away at home in Flagler, Colorado on April 11, 2020. Bill was the son of Earl and Leona (Scheidegger) Cowgill and brother of Bonnie (Peters) Wharry. He spent his childhood years in Seibert, Colorado and attended the Seibert School, graduating in 1966. He was a very active and lively boy and on his first day of school he was so eager to go. He made it until the first recess before he decided he had enough and walked home, only to have his sister come and take him back. One of his report cards stated that Billy liked to talk too much and had lots of trouble staying in his seat. One of his favorite things to do was to ride his bike out to his Grandma and Grandad Cowgill’s to spend the day with them. When he was in high school he loved playing baseball and was the pitcher on his team. He also enjoyed playing the trumpet in the band. One night he went over to a school dance in Flagler and he met a girl by the name of Penny Goodwin and he decided she was someone he would like to get to know better. They dated for a while and she even wore his high school class ring. Although life took them separate ways after Bill’s graduation, destiny would bring them together again and they were married on March 16, 1969. They began their married life together living in Colorado Springs in a 10 X 55 mobile home. It didn’t take long for Bill to know that city life was not for him so they moved to Flagler, Colorado where they called home for 34 years. He started working for Don’s Dairy delivering milk products over eastern Colorado. In 1971 he began working at Flagler Farm Equipment as a mechanic and remained until 1987. He always said that the things that he learned as a mechanic helped him in all aspects of his life in future years. For a short time he ran a Mac Tools truck and worked at Flagler Power and Equipment, but the John Deere Green was in his blood and he returned to Flagler Farm Equipment working as a salesman in 1990. He worked there until the business changed ownership in 2001. He stayed true to John Deere and went to work for Jerry McArthur at McArthur Implement in Burlington, Colorado. He truly loved his job traveling from Burlington to Flagler in sales. He always said the farmers he dealt with were not just customers but were his good friends. On June 8, 1977, Bill and Penny were blessed with the birth of twin daughters, Misty Lee and Kimberly Diane. He always said these two girls were the best thing that ever happened to him. He was always so proud of them and was their biggest fan. When they got old enough to be involved in sporting events he was always there cheering them on and enjoyed every minute of it. He was adamant that they continue their education after high school and nothing made him prouder than the fact that they both finished their education and doing exactly what they had always wanted to do. He taught them good work ethic and to be proud of a job well done. When the girls married, he considered his sons-in-law as sons. Then when the grandkids came along no one loved being a Papa more than he did. He couldn’t wait to brag on them every chance he got. Papa’s shop was always the main attraction when they came to visit. He loved having his family come to visit and his grandkids were his pride and joy. From giving rides on the old tractor and 4 wheeler, to letting them drive the pickup, Papa enjoyed every minute. Bill and Penny moved to the family farm in 2003 and began to fulfill a dream he had always had to run his own cattle. They bought some steers and jumped in to learning the ups and downs of the cattle business. During the summer months Bill and Penny spent many hours together on their 4 wheeler checking and counting their steers. They enjoyed these times so much and later when they quit running their own cattle and rented their pastures, they still continued to check their renter’s cows and calves. It was a sad day when Bill’s health caused them to give it up. Due to Bill’s declining health they moved back into Flagler in the summer of 2019, just across the street from where they had lived when they were first married and with the same wonderful neighbor, Walt Rich. Many good times were had visiting back and forth with him! Bill never knew a stranger and made friends with everyone he met. He always looked forward to his early Sunday morning visits with his good friend, Gary Fagerlund, and loved when Kevin or Ryan Jarnagin would stop in and visit. After moving to the farm he was so fortunate to gain the friendship of Jory Drager and his family. They became family to him and there was nothing Bill enjoyed more than having Jory and Fran stop in for tea to talk over how the cattle were doing. Many wonderful times and phone visits were spent with his lifelong friend and uncle, Lee Jones and wife Alice. The last two years were hard for Bill due to his health, but with the help of his family and good friends he was able to enjoy life the best that he could. He passed away peacefully in his home with his wife and best friend, Penny, by his side. Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, Howard and Beulah Cowgill, and Lewis and Ida Scheidegger, his parents, Earl and Leona Cowgill, his parents-in-law, Slim and Zoe Goodwin, brother-in law, Dick Wharry, and sister-in-law, Sandra Will. He leaves behind his wife, Penny, his daughter, Misty and Hunter Cryer and their daughters Abby and Blakelee, and daughter, Kimberly and Dan Kummet and their sons, Ethan and Reid. He also leaves behind his sister, Bonnie Wharry and family, brother-in-law, Scott and Ilene Goodwin and family, brother in law, Carroll Will and family. He also leaves behind his dear friend and neighbor Walt Rich and his family, as well as, a host of other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions can be made to the Community Ambulance Service, PO Box 101, Flagler CO 80815 A private graveside service will be held Wednesday April 15, 2020 at 11:00am at Siebert Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.