William (Bill) Patrick Sheahan, went to be with his Lord and Savior, on Friday October 30, 2020. A result of a long fought battle with cancer, he was at home surrounded by family and friends.

Bill was born at the Larimer County Hospital, now known as Poudre Valley Hospital, in Fort Collins, CO on 12/08/1951. The second oldest of 6 children born to Charles John and LaFaye (Jensen) Sheahan.  While still in the hospital and with nothing to do, his dad and older sister, Linda, went home and put up the Christmas tree.  This became a family tradition to put up the tree every year on Bill's birthday.

They lived on a small acreage in La Porte, where the kids all had animals and participated in 4-H. Bill loved to tell stories of his pigs, who, if Bill didn't tell them goodbye before he left for school, would lift up the panels of their pen and escape! Or of the egg fights he and his older sister and younger brothers would get into. Of course, that got them all into trouble because eggs were part of the family income. Bill attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Fort Collins from first to 8th grade. Graduated from Poudre High School in 1971. His faith in God was very strong all of his life.

After high school, Bill joined the Navy, serving aboard the USS Hepburn DE 1055. This ship was small enough that it was assigned to support I Corp near Quang Tre, Viet Nam in the China Sea. Being just 300 yards off shore they sometimes took on heavy fire. After returning home to dock in San Diego, Bill received his first of 3 TBI's. This one put him in a 12 day coma that he was not expected to survive, let alone walk and talk again. He was also a rodeo bull rider, thus his second TBI. But God had plans for Bill! While in California, he met and married Mary, moved back to Colorado, and had 2 children. He worked as a welder for Flat Iron, drove his own cattle/sheep hauler, and started his own hay stacking business.

In 1976, Bill drove the team of quarter horses, trained by his father Charlie, pulling the Colorado Centennial / USA Bi-Centennial covered wagon. Charlie picked up the wagon in Denver; drove it in several county parades, then to Trinidad, where it joined wagons from several other states, to form a real wagon train. Bill drove the wagon from Colorado to Missouri, where all were loaded onto ferry boats to cross the Mississippi River, and hauled to Philadelphia, PA. The wagon is now at home in the Otero Museum in LaJunta, CO.

Tired of working so hard, he decided to return to school, graduating from CSU Fort Collins in 1990, with a degree in Psychology. While at CSU, Bill started the Viet Nam Veterans Club, and was instrumental in getting the Memorial Bridge built. He arranged to have General Westmoreland, commander of the forces in Viet Nam, and Senator George Wallace to attend the opening ceremonies.

One of the things Bill loved was to sing! He had an amazing voice, and once sang with the CSU choir at the Crystal Palace in California.

After graduating, Bill moved to Pueblo where he worked at Parkview Hospital and later moved to La Junta to work as a counselor a the Colorado Boys Ranch. After being injured he moved to Las Animas.

After the VA declared him 100% Disabled and told him was unemployable, he decided he would show them. So he built his own 5,000 square foot house. While living in Las Animas, Bill was politely asked to join AA. So, on March 16, 21 years ago, he became a member. Here he met his sponsor and friend Mark MacDonnell. Bill seemed to have finally found his calling in helping others. Here he thrived. He and Tim Downey conducted the meetings and started the Round Robin get togethers until Tim's health failed him and Bill continued on for 18 years.

While getting his windshield repaired, he met the love of his life, Peggy. They were married on St. Patrick's Day March 17, 2001, he spent the remainder of his life on the farm south of Rocky Ford. He loved the life! Working the farm, the cattle and riding horses. Even irrigating and building fence. Most of all it brought him closer to his Savior Jesus Christ. Bill was baptized in a stock tank during a week long revival at the Cornerstone Country Church in Rocky Ford.

Through his many injuries, surgeries, hospitalizations, and cancer, he was in the hospital at least once every year for the last 19 years. Peggy, always by his side supporting and caretaking. When he broke his neck in 6 places and received his third TBI in 2011, Peggy told him as soon as he got out of the brace they were taking a vacation. The only one they ever had.

They toured east to Maine to see Bill's son and grandchildren. Saw Niagra Falls and Mt. Rushmore where Bill had never been. Surprise! The park was retiring the flag and honoring our veterans and Bill got to participate in the ceremonies. In 2017, Bill's sister Therese, arranged for Bill to go on the Northern Colorado Honor Flight to Washington DC. They toured the monuments and participated in the VE Day ceremonies, honoring WWII veterans. They even got to meet with Vice President Pence in his office. Bill loved his family and his friends.

Bill was a life long member of the NRA/Golden Eagles, The Handyman Club of America, North American Hunting, The American Legion Post #8 of Rocky Ford, The DAV, and the VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, great nephew Clay, and granddaughter, Taryn Corsair.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy and his loyal service dog, Mitzi of the family home. Sisters Linda (Gary) Ellis of Windsor, Therese (Roger) Burns of Wellington, brothers Michael (Cindy) Sheahan of Castle Rock, Dan Sheahan of Kalamuth Falls, OR, and Tom(Cheryl) Sheahan of Ormond Beach, FL.  Children Andrea (Isreal) Reyes of Phoenix, Az and Jason (Rachel) Sheahan of Bangor, Me. Step children Jon (Kelly Jo) Williams of Chugwater, Wy, Van Williams of Denver, Tejana (Scot) Cox, Kally (Rod) Corsair, and Lat (Kristina) Williams of Walsenburg. Adopted son Cody Corwin, 21 grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and extended family. The best friends and neighbors God could ever provide.

Special Thanks to Dr. Alonso Pacheco of the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center and all medical staff and ambulance crews who have taken care of Bill.

There will be a viewing from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, November 4th at Ford-Ustick Funeral Home in Rocky Ford, CO. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 5th at First Baptist Church in Rocky Ford, CO with Rev. Ray Meier officiating. Interment will be at the Ft. Lyon National Cemetery in Las Animas, CO. Military service by Rocky Ford American Legion Post #8.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rocky Ford AA Chapter; 27134 Cnty. Rd. 18.75 Rocky Ford, CO 81067.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford - Ustick Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.

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