Carpenter, Willis "Bill/Will"

93, died peacefully at his daughter's home in Denver on April 8, 2022. Willis was raised on his father's ranch in Hayden, CO. He graduated from East High School in Denver & attended Princeton University, graduated from Harvard Law School LL.B. & was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1954. He served active duty in the Navy (1955-1958) & continued in the reserves (Naval Intelligence) until his retirement in 1977, with a rank of Captain. As a former Denver Bar Association President (1978-1979), Willis was a mentor to many & a leader in the real estate section in Colorado. He was a Director for CLE in Colorado from 1967 through 1988 & for many years chaired the CBA Real Estate Section & served on the CBA Board of Governors. Willis was often referred to as the Dean of Colorado Real Estate Law & over countless years taught courses/lectured at the Annual Real Estate Institute, Colorado Real Estate Symposium & for the CLE, Colorado Real Estate Practice. He is survived by his significant other Barbara N. Shecter, six children; Catherine S. Carpenter, Charles R. Carpenter (Nikki Peros Carpenter), Marian E. Lyons, Carol R. Smith (Erik Smith), Stacy A. Carpenter (Justin J. Prochnow), Kendra S. Carpenter (Brian Binge), eight grandchildren; Steven J. Carpenter, Patrick A. Carpenter, Kyle W. Smith, Nicholas E. Smith, Jordan L. Prochnow, Jackson I. Prochnow, Max M. Binge, Cash F. Binge, eight nieces & nephews, 28 great nieces & nephews. Celebration of life, Sunday, June 5, 2022, 1:30 p.m. at History Colorado Center; 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be made to Colorado Symphony, History Colorado or the charity of your choice. For full obituary visit monarchsociety.com

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Published by Denver Post from Apr. 20 to Apr. 24, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Willis Carpenter

Sponsored by The Denver Post.

17 Entries

Barbara Perry

June 8, 2022

My sister Ann and I were able to attend the memorial to Willis but we were not able to stay and meet all of his family. It was a lovely tribute to a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing so many stories and his music. We loved seeing photos from Hayden and the ranch which brought back fond memories for us of visiting with Ferry and Granny, Ros, so many times.
I had the good fortune to work with Willis on real estate issues many times throughout my career. He had such a wonderful way of delivering opinions.
Our condolences go out to all of his family.
Barb Perry and Ann Perry

Lynn A. Cleveland

June 4, 2022

Willis was very influential in my life. While working as a title examiner, I was extremely fortunate to have my employer send me to Willis's Real Estate Law for Paralegals class. Later, Willis remembered me from that class and eventually invited me to clerk for his firm after my second year of law school. What a great experience! I worked with Andy, Fred, and Janelle, but on occasion Willis would sit down and teach me things I wasn't going to get otherwise. Over the course of my legal career (across the street from C & K), at every summer Real Estate Symposium, I --and leagues of others-- always made sure to attend Willis's speech, whenever it was scheduled. I still have all his speech materials in a notebook. Wish I could hear him speaking today.

John Budd

June 2, 2022

Willis was the consummate idealist and the best attorney in Denver. A straight shooter who never pulled any punches. He created resolution and solution in a way that made the world a better place.

Darlene Sturgis

May 20, 2022

Mr. Carpenter was my boss for over 40 years. He hired me right out of high school. You couldn't ask for a better person to work for. He was kind, caring, generous and funny. There are so many things that I will remember about him. He use to always take off his shoes and go about the office in his socks. I remember the car he had when I started working for him. It was a 1966 Plymouth Fury Convertible. He loved that car. He was definitely a down to earth kind of guy. I could go on and on with stories about him, but that would take hours. I loved him like a dad and stayed in touch with him once he quit working. I was fortunate enough to see him two days before his 93rd birthday in February when I took him over a Harvey Wallbanger cake to celebrate his birthday and visit with him. He loved that cake, especially if I put icing on it. He had two larges pieces while my husband and I sat and visited with him and Barbara. I'm sure he probably polished off the rest of the cake within a day or two. He will always have a special place in my heart. I will miss him always.

With love, Jennifer Carlisle

Planted Trees

Susan Hoyt

May 2, 2022

I am so sorry to hear about Will's passing. He was a wonderful person--a great lawyer, an excellent teacher, but most of all a kind and caring individual. I was fortunate to get to work with him for many years and still miss him. Many hugs to the family. He will be missed.

Mark Miller

April 28, 2022

Will was so generous of his time, knowledge and wisdom over the many years I’d “known” him. He was an expert witness and mentor on one of the few real estate cases I’ve handled as an attorney. The Colorado legal community lost a great one with Will’s passing! Rest In Peace!! Mark P. Miller

Salvador Quintana, Esq.

April 25, 2022

Rest in Peace, Willis Carpenter. I am so grateful in knowing Willis over the years. He was a wonderful person, and I am thankful for all the guidance he provided me over the years with real estate law.

Richard L.Anderson

April 20, 2022

One of the wisest attorneys I ever worked with. A real gentleman and someone I often think about as having been a sound adviser.

James Anest

April 20, 2022

I am so grateful in knowing Willis. Thankful for all the guidance he provided me over the years. Willis was definitely the dean of real estate for Colorado. More importantly the type of lawyer that made me proud to be part of the membership of attorneys. His loss is so huge to the Colorado Bar Association. May his memory be everlasting. His memory to me will definitely be everlasting.

Jim Mulligan

April 19, 2022

Will mentored me early on in several cases in which I was involved and encouraged me to initiate the Annual Real Estate Symposium when I chaired the real estate section. So grateful for his inspirational friendship.

Jim Mulligan

Planted Trees

Steve Young

April 19, 2022

The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for CAPT Carpenter's service to our country in the Navy. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO

Steve Young

April 19, 2022

Faye Hudson

April 18, 2022

The family and my family were neighbors for many years. "Bill" was very helpful in my time of need.
Warm memories and best wishes to the entire family.

Charlene Burnett

April 14, 2022

In loving memory of a wonderful person whose intellect and humor will be missed. He was loved and will be missed by so many. My deepest sympathy to his loved ones.