Bill was the fifth of six children born to Will and Myrtle Heaton. Growing up on a farm, he learned the meaning of hard work and the importance of family. As a teen, he helped his family move to Colorado, entrusted to drive a team of horses hitched to a wagon filled with household goods and with a milk cow tied behind.. all my himself.

When war clouds gathered, he answered his country's call proudly. Off to Alaska he was sent, to help blaze the right of way and build the Alcan Highway. Then to Australia, where he developed an abiding distaste for Spam and anything made with mutton or lamb. On to the Phillippines, and waiting for the order to invade Japan. Thankfully, the war ended before deployment and Bill came home. He remained close to his Army buddies, attending their reunions as long as he was able.

After coming home, Bill told Georgia, his friend of thirteen years that she would either have to marry him or pension him. And so, they tied the knot on January 6th, 1946, a knot that held for 56 strong years, and only unraveled when Bill died.

Bill treasured his family. For many years, he chronicled the family's history through the pictures he took. And how that family grew!! A daughter, a son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He loved them all and was loved by all of them.

For 26 years, he worked for the Denver Post. His life didn't slow much when he retired. New children moved into the neighborhood. There were bicycles to oil and fix; there was encouragement to give; there was mentoring to be done. The children grew and moved away, but often came back to visit. For many, Bill was the grandfather they didn't have, but needed.

It's easy to say Bill loved photography, fishing, his tomato and garlic patches, tinkering in the garage, listening to the haunting sound of a steam locomotive's whistle, and collecting hats -- some with captions guaranteed to embarrass!! It's not so easy, however, to capture that special sense of humor he had, and his canny ability to laugh, joke, and tell those infamous stories of his he so loved to share.

He leaves behind his wife and best friend Georgia, daughter Donna, son-in-law Mony, grandchildren Monroe Jr., Randy, Julie, Amanda, and their families, and the many whos lives he touched.

Bill said there were three sayings that helped him through the rough spots in life, and perhaps you'll find them helpful...