William ("Bill") Joseph Lugaila, 56, beloved husband, stepfather, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend, passed away at his home in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on November 29, 2025. Born on August 7, 1969, in Midway, Pennsylvania, Bill's life was a testament to the power of love and the generosity of time, and spirit, shown through the care, loyalty, and selflessness he offered to those he loved most. He gave freely of himself through steady presence, unwavering support, and quiet acts of kindness that made others feel deeply valued and cherished.
Bill was a 1988 graduate of Fort Cherry High School in McDonald, PA. He then graduated from Columbia College in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems. In 2024, Bill would go on to earn a Master's Certificate in Cybersecurity from Colorado State University Global. Bill worked various jobs throughout his career, but his greatest and most valued role was in being a devoted and caring friend.
Bill was an excellent listener and a trustworthy confidant who regularly gave of his time to friends, co-workers, and those he considered extended family. Bill generously completed computer and car repairs, various home renovation projects, repaired air conditioners, and investigated leaky plumbing for friends and loved ones. Bill additionally dedicated his time and heart to animal rescues, volunteering to drive long distances transporting rescue dogs to their forever homes. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed woodworking, working on cars, 3D printing, racing car simulators, playing video and computer games, and shooting and collecting firearms.
Bill had a heart and great love for the outdoors. He enjoyed years of hunting both in Colorado and in Pennsylvania. He loved camping in Colorado and breathing the mountain air, once catching a stunning meteor shower at the top of Kenosha Pass! Bill enjoyed being in these vast spaces alone and with friends-even unexpected ones like a close encounter with Big Foot!
Bill and his wife, Carleigh, were inseparable, and Bill was a devoted stepfather to Natalie, Ethan, Valerie, and son-in-law, Brandon. Bill accompanied Carleigh to games, parent-teacher conferences, and sports banquets. He was a frequent volunteer at Ethan and Natalie's schools and for their high school baseball, golf, and volleyball teams. Bill helped plan, set-up, and clean up for tournaments, banquets, concession stands, and bake sales and expertly crafted a woodworking project for his stepson's senior class.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Carleigh Rust Leach; stepchildren, Natalie Leach and Ethan Leach of Highlands Ranch, CO, Valerie (Brandon) Murphy of Bennett, CO; sister, Jennifer (Brad) Lakes and nephews and niece Brendan, Kenzie, and Caden Lakes of Clinton, Pennsylvania; ex-wife and dear friend, Michelle (Laurence) Woods of Denver, Colorado; father-in-law, Chris (Connie) Rust of Central, Louisiana; niece, Rain Lily Meadows; brother-in-law, Nathan (Amanda) Rust of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; sister-in-law, Elena (Drew) Marquez of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; brothers-in-law, Matthew Rust of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Steven Rust of Central, Louisiana; uncle Joseph Lugaila of Cheyenne, Wyoming; aunt Mary Ann Lugaila of Galeton, Pennsylvania; cousins, David (Amanda) Roach of Virginia, Dan (Jessica) Roach of Pennyslvania, David (Melody) Lugaila of Pennsylvania, Denny (Tina) Lugaila of California; best friend Casey (Lisa) Kjeseth of Highlands Ranch, CO; and dogs, Austin and Rum.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Roach; father, Ronald Lugaila; beloved aunt and uncle, Beth and David Roach; and mother-in-law, Geana Rust. A celebration of life will be held at Living Way Fellowship Church, 345 E. Wildcat Reserve Parkway, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 on Saturday, January 24, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm..
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Morgan Rose Foundation https://morganrosefoundation.com/.
Bill was a 1988 graduate of Fort Cherry High School in McDonald, PA. He then graduated from Columbia College in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems. In 2024, Bill would go on to earn a Master's Certificate in Cybersecurity from Colorado State University Global. Bill worked various jobs throughout his career, but his greatest and most valued role was in being a devoted and caring friend.
Bill was an excellent listener and a trustworthy confidant who regularly gave of his time to friends, co-workers, and those he considered extended family. Bill generously completed computer and car repairs, various home renovation projects, repaired air conditioners, and investigated leaky plumbing for friends and loved ones. Bill additionally dedicated his time and heart to animal rescues, volunteering to drive long distances transporting rescue dogs to their forever homes. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed woodworking, working on cars, 3D printing, racing car simulators, playing video and computer games, and shooting and collecting firearms.
Bill had a heart and great love for the outdoors. He enjoyed years of hunting both in Colorado and in Pennsylvania. He loved camping in Colorado and breathing the mountain air, once catching a stunning meteor shower at the top of Kenosha Pass! Bill enjoyed being in these vast spaces alone and with friends-even unexpected ones like a close encounter with Big Foot!
Bill and his wife, Carleigh, were inseparable, and Bill was a devoted stepfather to Natalie, Ethan, Valerie, and son-in-law, Brandon. Bill accompanied Carleigh to games, parent-teacher conferences, and sports banquets. He was a frequent volunteer at Ethan and Natalie's schools and for their high school baseball, golf, and volleyball teams. Bill helped plan, set-up, and clean up for tournaments, banquets, concession stands, and bake sales and expertly crafted a woodworking project for his stepson's senior class.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Carleigh Rust Leach; stepchildren, Natalie Leach and Ethan Leach of Highlands Ranch, CO, Valerie (Brandon) Murphy of Bennett, CO; sister, Jennifer (Brad) Lakes and nephews and niece Brendan, Kenzie, and Caden Lakes of Clinton, Pennsylvania; ex-wife and dear friend, Michelle (Laurence) Woods of Denver, Colorado; father-in-law, Chris (Connie) Rust of Central, Louisiana; niece, Rain Lily Meadows; brother-in-law, Nathan (Amanda) Rust of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; sister-in-law, Elena (Drew) Marquez of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; brothers-in-law, Matthew Rust of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Steven Rust of Central, Louisiana; uncle Joseph Lugaila of Cheyenne, Wyoming; aunt Mary Ann Lugaila of Galeton, Pennsylvania; cousins, David (Amanda) Roach of Virginia, Dan (Jessica) Roach of Pennyslvania, David (Melody) Lugaila of Pennsylvania, Denny (Tina) Lugaila of California; best friend Casey (Lisa) Kjeseth of Highlands Ranch, CO; and dogs, Austin and Rum.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Roach; father, Ronald Lugaila; beloved aunt and uncle, Beth and David Roach; and mother-in-law, Geana Rust. A celebration of life will be held at Living Way Fellowship Church, 345 E. Wildcat Reserve Parkway, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 on Saturday, January 24, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm..
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Morgan Rose Foundation https://morganrosefoundation.com/.
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