William Franklin “Bill” Andrews Jr.

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William Franklin “Bill” Andrews Jr.

Birth
Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana, USA
Death
19 Feb 2022 (aged 72)
Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado, USA
Burial
Cremated Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
William Franklin Andrews, Jr.
August 25, 1949 – February 19, 2022

Bill was born in South Bend, Indiana on August 25, 1949. He lived an amazing and full life until he passed peacefully into Heaven on February 19, 2022, in Grand Junction, CO. He was born to Esther Mae (Wurtsbaugh) & William Franklin Andrews, Sr. He had two older sisters he adored, Reda Faye Moore and Marvella Lee Gowins. His little brother David Calvert Andrews was Bill's best friend for life. As a child, Bill moved with his family to Colorado because his momma LOVED the Rocky Mountains. In 1969, he married Jonie Ferguson and they raised their children Lisa Marie and Korey Dale Andrews together in Broomfield, CO. He loved Jonie's family and was blessed with wonderful in-laws, Rosie & Dale Ferguson, and a cousin that would also become a life-long best friend, Mike Cates. In 1991, he married Rachel Iverson and he welcomed Curt Borland into his life as his beloved stepson. In Spring 2019, Bill was blessed to welcome oldest son Shawn Kramer into the family. Bill's legacy lives on through his grandkids, Alexis Ann (Lexi) Andrews, Kameren Nicole Twiggs, Ryen Dale Andrews, Eli Domenic Dale Andrews, Alyssa Marie Paris, Jacob Kramer, and Camden Borland. Bill was also blessed with a beautiful great-grandson Knox Alfred Twiggs.

Bill fiercely loved his family and friends. He was loyal, caring, and fun. He always expressed himself with intense passion. If you wanted to know how he felt about anything, he would let you know. He was always willing to share advice, teach someone what he knew, and debate those things he held strong conviction in. No matter what, he always wanted to help.

Upon entering Heaven, he was most looking forward to being reunited with his momma & daddy, Reda Faye, Marvella, Dale & Rosie, Don & Ruth Cates, Jimmy Archuleta, Donnie, Melanie, & Billy Moore. He'll also be looking for Chuckie, Yogi & FeeFee, Boo & Sigman, Marty, Buddy, & Toby, his beloved furry friends. "All dogs go to Heaven," he would say.

Bill was very proud to be a master injection molding expert and was known to be the best boss and trainer in the industry. He could tell you all about plastic and could pick out the flaw in any small piece of material.

Bill LOVED the Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche & Rockies. If there were sports on, he was all about it. He was a Star Trek fanatic before being a "Trekie" was even a thing. He loved Cosmos with Carl Sagan, Rock & Roll (all of it), drinking red beers, building models (cars, planes, ships, dioramas of all sorts), flying kites, playing a good game of Rook, Canasta, Scrabble, Backgammon, Chess, or Monopoly, watching horse and greyhound races, and collecting teddy bears. He even loved just mowing the grass and watering the flowers. We'd be wondering where Dad was and he'd be found down the block, mowing all the neighbors' yards so they could enjoy the smell and look of a freshly cut lawn. But one of his favorite activities was taking a nice mountain drive on his Harley Davidson or in his 1995 Cobra Mustang Convertible (also named "Harley", but after his favorite uncle, and not the motorcycle).

Now that we've talked about his love, let's talk about what he absolutely HATED: CANCER. It took so much from him and his family. You might wonder why we would need to talk about this at all- because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Through the advancements of DNA research, we finally know that the Andrews/ Wurtsbaugh family has a strong disposition for breast cancer (BRCA2+). When Bill was diagnosed in 2012, he was determined to be a warrior! He battled and battled, and then battled some more. What amazing courage and strength. He NEVER lost his faith. He was determined to beat it in the end. Guess what? HE DID! On February 18th, some of his final words were "Thank you, Lord!" and "LOVE WINS!!!" So, what can we learn from Bill? No matter the problem or challenge, even with cancer, the truth is "love wins."

"And, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." (The Beatles)

Bill's family is so proud to share that his purpose on earth is not done! As a final expression of love, Bill has been accepted into the Anatomical Gift Program at University of Colorado Hospital - Anschutz Medical School. When asked if this was still final wish, Bill said "YES, we have to stop cancer." Bill will be in the research and medical training program for 18-24 months and then his cremains will be returned to his children. This is a huge gift to medicine, and to life and love, in its entirety. Colorado University Hospital is a phenomenal medical facility that saves many lives. Bill will be honored at a ceremony later this year, where students will be able to express their gratitude to him for this enormous donation. His name will be added to a plaque at Anschutz Medical Campus. Bill's journey continues both here on earth AND beyond in Heaven.

A memorial will take place later. Bill's oldest grandson graduated from basic training at Ft. Sill, OK on the day before his passing. (Bill got to watch a little bit of his graduation before he went to sleep). There's about 10 weeks to go in advanced training. Plus, much of Bill's family is out of state. So, the family has decided to wait for his grandson's leave so he can join the family. On a date in springtime, all are invited to visit Bill's favorite fishing spot in Deckers, Colorado (Frog Rock) where all can join in celebration of his life. Bill wishes his ashes to be spread in three locations: It will be nice to honor him in one of the places he chose as his final resting spot in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. He will also be scattered to rest in Rocky Mountain National Park, atop one of his favorite vistas, and another place close to his heart, near David's home in Nebraska, at Ash Hollow. An announcement will be made on Facebook.

Other ways to honor Bill's memory: Take a lovely afternoon drive where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape and where it meets the sky; listen to some good tunes and enjoy a game with loved ones. Learn Rook – it is a lot of fun; plant a tree and watch the grass grow (after you mow it diagonally); spend some time loving your favorite pet. (Bill's best companion at this time - "best cat in da world" Sammy would sit and nap on his lap for hours in the sunshine); And, maybe most importantly, make a monetary donation to your choice of the following foundations that were all near and dear to Bill's heart:
• The University of Colorado Hospital Foundation: uchospitalfoundation.org
• The Susan G. Komen Foundation: info-komen.org
• The Longmont Humane Society.
LOVE WINS!

BIO written by his daughter Lisa Marie Andrews.
William Franklin Andrews, Jr.
August 25, 1949 – February 19, 2022

Bill was born in South Bend, Indiana on August 25, 1949. He lived an amazing and full life until he passed peacefully into Heaven on February 19, 2022, in Grand Junction, CO. He was born to Esther Mae (Wurtsbaugh) & William Franklin Andrews, Sr. He had two older sisters he adored, Reda Faye Moore and Marvella Lee Gowins. His little brother David Calvert Andrews was Bill's best friend for life. As a child, Bill moved with his family to Colorado because his momma LOVED the Rocky Mountains. In 1969, he married Jonie Ferguson and they raised their children Lisa Marie and Korey Dale Andrews together in Broomfield, CO. He loved Jonie's family and was blessed with wonderful in-laws, Rosie & Dale Ferguson, and a cousin that would also become a life-long best friend, Mike Cates. In 1991, he married Rachel Iverson and he welcomed Curt Borland into his life as his beloved stepson. In Spring 2019, Bill was blessed to welcome oldest son Shawn Kramer into the family. Bill's legacy lives on through his grandkids, Alexis Ann (Lexi) Andrews, Kameren Nicole Twiggs, Ryen Dale Andrews, Eli Domenic Dale Andrews, Alyssa Marie Paris, Jacob Kramer, and Camden Borland. Bill was also blessed with a beautiful great-grandson Knox Alfred Twiggs.

Bill fiercely loved his family and friends. He was loyal, caring, and fun. He always expressed himself with intense passion. If you wanted to know how he felt about anything, he would let you know. He was always willing to share advice, teach someone what he knew, and debate those things he held strong conviction in. No matter what, he always wanted to help.

Upon entering Heaven, he was most looking forward to being reunited with his momma & daddy, Reda Faye, Marvella, Dale & Rosie, Don & Ruth Cates, Jimmy Archuleta, Donnie, Melanie, & Billy Moore. He'll also be looking for Chuckie, Yogi & FeeFee, Boo & Sigman, Marty, Buddy, & Toby, his beloved furry friends. "All dogs go to Heaven," he would say.

Bill was very proud to be a master injection molding expert and was known to be the best boss and trainer in the industry. He could tell you all about plastic and could pick out the flaw in any small piece of material.

Bill LOVED the Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche & Rockies. If there were sports on, he was all about it. He was a Star Trek fanatic before being a "Trekie" was even a thing. He loved Cosmos with Carl Sagan, Rock & Roll (all of it), drinking red beers, building models (cars, planes, ships, dioramas of all sorts), flying kites, playing a good game of Rook, Canasta, Scrabble, Backgammon, Chess, or Monopoly, watching horse and greyhound races, and collecting teddy bears. He even loved just mowing the grass and watering the flowers. We'd be wondering where Dad was and he'd be found down the block, mowing all the neighbors' yards so they could enjoy the smell and look of a freshly cut lawn. But one of his favorite activities was taking a nice mountain drive on his Harley Davidson or in his 1995 Cobra Mustang Convertible (also named "Harley", but after his favorite uncle, and not the motorcycle).

Now that we've talked about his love, let's talk about what he absolutely HATED: CANCER. It took so much from him and his family. You might wonder why we would need to talk about this at all- because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Through the advancements of DNA research, we finally know that the Andrews/ Wurtsbaugh family has a strong disposition for breast cancer (BRCA2+). When Bill was diagnosed in 2012, he was determined to be a warrior! He battled and battled, and then battled some more. What amazing courage and strength. He NEVER lost his faith. He was determined to beat it in the end. Guess what? HE DID! On February 18th, some of his final words were "Thank you, Lord!" and "LOVE WINS!!!" So, what can we learn from Bill? No matter the problem or challenge, even with cancer, the truth is "love wins."

"And, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." (The Beatles)

Bill's family is so proud to share that his purpose on earth is not done! As a final expression of love, Bill has been accepted into the Anatomical Gift Program at University of Colorado Hospital - Anschutz Medical School. When asked if this was still final wish, Bill said "YES, we have to stop cancer." Bill will be in the research and medical training program for 18-24 months and then his cremains will be returned to his children. This is a huge gift to medicine, and to life and love, in its entirety. Colorado University Hospital is a phenomenal medical facility that saves many lives. Bill will be honored at a ceremony later this year, where students will be able to express their gratitude to him for this enormous donation. His name will be added to a plaque at Anschutz Medical Campus. Bill's journey continues both here on earth AND beyond in Heaven.

A memorial will take place later. Bill's oldest grandson graduated from basic training at Ft. Sill, OK on the day before his passing. (Bill got to watch a little bit of his graduation before he went to sleep). There's about 10 weeks to go in advanced training. Plus, much of Bill's family is out of state. So, the family has decided to wait for his grandson's leave so he can join the family. On a date in springtime, all are invited to visit Bill's favorite fishing spot in Deckers, Colorado (Frog Rock) where all can join in celebration of his life. Bill wishes his ashes to be spread in three locations: It will be nice to honor him in one of the places he chose as his final resting spot in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. He will also be scattered to rest in Rocky Mountain National Park, atop one of his favorite vistas, and another place close to his heart, near David's home in Nebraska, at Ash Hollow. An announcement will be made on Facebook.

Other ways to honor Bill's memory: Take a lovely afternoon drive where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape and where it meets the sky; listen to some good tunes and enjoy a game with loved ones. Learn Rook – it is a lot of fun; plant a tree and watch the grass grow (after you mow it diagonally); spend some time loving your favorite pet. (Bill's best companion at this time - "best cat in da world" Sammy would sit and nap on his lap for hours in the sunshine); And, maybe most importantly, make a monetary donation to your choice of the following foundations that were all near and dear to Bill's heart:
• The University of Colorado Hospital Foundation: uchospitalfoundation.org
• The Susan G. Komen Foundation: info-komen.org
• The Longmont Humane Society.
LOVE WINS!

BIO written by his daughter Lisa Marie Andrews.


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