William Mathew Getz

William Mathew Getz

William Mathew Getz (Bill) age 82, passed away on Aug. 19 at his home in Hawthorne after a fast paced illness.

He leaves behind a wife Annie, three children by a first marriage and seven children inherited by marriage #2 and a marriage of 28 years with wife, Annie. He also leaves behind 27 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Bill in his lifetime wore different hats. He graduated high school in Brighton, Colo. in 1951, while starting his first construction business. He also played football, basketball, was in band and chorus as well as speech and drama.

Bill served in the Navy, worked as a makeup artist in Hollywood and had four restaurants in his lifetime (two in Colorado, one in Wyoming and one in California). Had his own sheetrock business, helped build the VA Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo. and installed air-conditioning in the older Las Vegas casinos. He was also a partner in an auction business located in Grand Junction. He was instrumental in opening the first Wal-Mart in Grand Junction as well as being the department manager in the hardware department.

Along the way, Bill was an avid outfitter in the mountains of Colorado. He did a lot of flea marketing in Arizona, California and on the coastline near Forks, Wash. He then retired and moved to Hawthorne, worked for El Capitan on and off for five years as security and a mechanic. Bill dedicated five years to tending the Rose Garden.

Cremation was done at The Gardens in Fallon. A barbecue and potluck will be held next August in celebration of his life. All friends are invited to share food, drinks and stories. Time and date will be in a paper next August 2017.

Bill was a great Dad, husband and friend. He will greatly be missed by all who knew him.