William D. Lambert

William D. Lambert

May 27, 1933 - Dec. 22, 2013,

DENVER, Colorado -- William D. "Bill" Lambert, age 80, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at Swedish Hospital, in Denver, Colorado.

He was born on May 27, 1933, in McCook, Red Willow Country, Nebraska, as the second son of Irvin Wayne and Clara Francis (Rowland) Lambert. Bill grew up in McCook, attending school and graduating from McCook High School in 1951. He attended and graduated from McCook Jr. College in 1953 with an associates degree in agriculture.

In 1953, he volunteered for a three year commitment to the U.S. Army and reported to Omaha, Nebraska. From there he completed his basic training in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, graduating from Surveying School. He was assigned duties in the Mariana Islands, Phillipines, Korea and Japan. Following his time in the service, he attended Kearney State Teacher's College where he recieved a BA degree in Industrial Arts in 1959 and a Master's in 1965.

His interest in sports allowed him to play football in McCook High School and Jr. College, where he played center on the 1958 KSTC Championship Team.

While attending college, he met Jean Marie Frates and later proposed to her on the 50 yard line during their 1957 homecoming game. They were married on Aug. 3, 1958, in Brule, Nebraska. After graduation, they moved to Brady, Nebraska, where they both taught school and Bill coached the high school football team. In 1962, they moved to Conifer, Colorado, where he taught technical art at West Jefferson Jr. High School until his retirement In 1992. During his teaching career, he coached football and basketball, however, his passion was coaching track and field, where he produced many successful teams. Throughout his life he fondly recalled, with pride, the many talented athletes he coached and especially enjoyed visits from former students during his retirement years.

His passionate hobby was wood turning and spent hours upon hours at the wood lathe. He produced many beautiful lamps, bowls and vases from native Aspen wood. He was especially known for the thousands of Christmas snowmen he produced and were sent all over the world. Bill was invovled with Troop 400 BSA at Conifer Community Church for as long as his two sons were involved. The pride he carried with him was that both sons received their Eagle Scout Award. Spending time with the troop and camping at various sites, including sleeping in a snow bank as the boys received their Polar Bear Award which was indeed a happy time for him. He was so proud of his daughter, Jennifer, as she continued the family teaching tradition.

Bill was involved with his church for many years, serving as a deacon on the building committee and spent many donated hours with hammer and nail as additions went up. He loved hunting, camping, fishing and stamp collecting, but his greatest love was spending time with family and friends and following his beloved Nebraska Cornhusker football team.

Survivors include his wife, Jean of Conifer; son, Alan (Patty) of Rifle, Colorado, son, Jon of Conifer and daughter, Jennifer (Michael Blackwell) and granddaughters, Grace and Ellie Blackwell of Littleton, Colorado.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, I.W. Lambert (Clara Rowland) and brother, Gary.

His ashes will later be interred in the cemetery at Brule, Nebraska.