William Lee Allen

1929 - 2013

William Lee Allen, 83, of Brighton, passed away Jan. 26, 2013. He was born Nov. 18, 1929, in Siebert, to William and Evelyn (Duncan) Allen. His family farmed during the Dust Bowl times and the Depression. His mother was a teacher. In 1936 they moved to Denver, when his father got a job hauling coal. His mother had a hand laundry business, and Bill would deliver laundry with her. Bill spent his summers in eastern Colorado helping his Grandpa on the farm.
In 1943 the family moved to Napa, Calif. Bill worked on a neighbor's ranch putting up hay. Later that same year they moved back to Denver where Bill attended North High School. Bill went to work at the Denver Stockyards and in 1948 got a job as a truck driver hauling livestock. From 1953 to 1960, he worked for Safeway stores as a truck driver. He then worked for Ringsby Truck Lines as a driver and then as a dispatcher. From 1970 until 1991, he worked for NW Transport. He retired as the Manager of Transportation.
Bill married Mary in 1948. They had two daughters, Debbie and Pat, who each gave them a wonderful grandson. In 1960, Bill moved his family to Brighton, and he and Mary have been active members of the community ever since.
Bill was a Master Mason and was a member of the Brighton United Methodist Church where he served as a church trustee and helped maintain the church, inside and out. Bill's community service included volunteering at the Brighton Senior Center, now the Eagle View Adult Center, as well as serving on the board of both, teaching AARP driver refresher courses, helping with the annual PVMC Health Fair and "Friends of the Library." He also received the Senior Center's Red Sweater Award. Bill served on the Cottonwood Homeowners Association Board for many years.
Bill enjoyed vacationing at their Estes Park home and traveling. The most important thing in Bill's life was his family.
Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; children, Debra (David) Wittke, Patricia (Henry) Aguirre; grandsons, David Wittke and Alexander Aguirre, all of Arvada; brother, Donald (Connie) Allen of Denver; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, at the Brighton United Methodist Church, 625 S. Eighth Ave., Brighton, Colorado.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brighton United Methodist Church, 625 S. Eighth Ave., Brighton, Colorado 80601.
Tabor-Rice Funeral Home is handling the arrangements