DELTA — Longtime Delta resident Bill Hellman passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colo. He was 82.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m.., Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, with Fathers Nathaniel Foshage, John Kiernan and Henry Aguwa officiating. A private family interment will follow at a later date.
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On Feb. 28, 1981, Bill married Lettie Smith at their home in Delta, Colo. The couple had the honor and privilege of celebrating 28 years of love and marriage together this year. He was previously married to Vivian J. Vater.
Bill was a successful entrepreneur. He owned and operated a car dealership in Dodge City, Kan., and Hellman Motor Company in Delta since 1955. He was a dedicated community leader; a founding member of Club 20, former member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in Dodge City, Kan., and past president of the Delta Chamber of Commerce. During his tenure, Bill closed the Delta Chamber because dues were not being paid. After several agitated phone calls, Bill told the members they were “broke.” He then re-opened the chamber when the members paid their dues.
Bill was an avid proponent for economic development throughout Delta County. He was the founder and current vice president of Uncompahgre Development Company. Uncompahgre Development has been responsible for bringing Foster Farms and Horizons Care Center to the county. Bill was instrumental in obtaining grants for the development of the Delta Industrial Park. During this process, the sewer was brought from the industrial park to the site of Delta County Memorial Hospital. He was named Humanitarian of the Year for the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce in 2004.
Bill was a longtime private pilot. He loved to fly with family and friends all over western Colorado and eastern Utah for breakfast. He was always a “fair weather” pilot and would only fly if the weather conditions were just right. He also enjoyed story telling, playing golf, hunting, skiing, many 4-wheeling trips in his Ford Bronco, and “telling the rest of the story” to his coffee club buddies. Bill was a faithful member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Delta. He will be forever missed by his beloved family, friends and community.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Lettie “Tish” Hellman of Delta, Colo.; six children: Bill (Jeanie) Hellman of Cedaredge, Colo., Mark (Teri) Hellman of Delta, Colo., Liz (Bill) Quintana of Delta, Colo., Matthew (Darci) Hellman of Delta, Colo., Timothy Hellman of Delta, Colo., and David (Toni) Hellman of Henderson, Nev.; two step-children, Tami Suazo and Mike Harms both of Grand Junction, Colo.; and one sister, Virginia Armel of Leawood, Kan.; 19 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and a son-in-law, Dan Suazo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Hand of Help Orphanage or to St. Michael’s Catholic Church Kitchen Fund. Please send donations to Taylor Funeral Service, 800 Palmer St., Delta, CO 81416.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylorfuneralservice.com.
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