William (Bill) Wade Heister

William (Bill) Wade Heister, 85, of Salida, Colorado, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Bill was born on August 7, 1939, in Salida, Colorado, to Lee (Wade) and Dorothy Heister. He attended Pueblo Junior College and worked as a meat cutter at Safeway for 35 years. A lifelong outdoorsman, Bill knew the valley like the back of his hand. He loved hunting, fishing, and exploring the mountains. After retiring, Bill and his wife, Betty, spent many days camping and fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Bill also enjoyed trying his luck at the Colorado Grande Casino in Cripple Creek. As his family grew, he made it a priority to stay involved in the lives and activities of his children and grandchildren. 

He is survived by his wife and best friend of 64 years, Betty; sister Shannon Gross; daughters Debbie Gardunio (Mark), Connie Davis (Todd), and Billie Whitehurst (Steve); and grandchildren Kaiti Davis (Kory), McKayla Gardunio, Cole Whitehurst, Austin Gardunio (Jade), William Whitehurst, Kori Davis (Reece), Gunnar Whitehurst, and Zeke William Whitehurst.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lee (Wade) and Dorothy Heister; brother-in-law Gary Gross;  in-laws Louis and Vera Luchetta, and Louis and Bobbi Luchetta.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 19, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salida, followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Salida Elks Lodge. All those who knew and loved Bill are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salida Elks Lodge BPOE 808 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Bill’s memory.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” – Thomas Campbell

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