William "Bill" Mercer Lane

William “Bill” Mercer Lane 02/05/1949 to 09/28/2024

 Bill was a dedicated family man, a proficient fisherman, hunter and an experienced photographer.

 Born in 1949 in Scott City Kansas to Beverly Coon and Robert Lane, the family moved to Thornton, Colorado in 1958. Bill went to Mapleton High School and then to Colorado State University where he graduated in 1971 with a degree in Photography and Journalism. While at CSU he was a photographer for The Collegiate, the school newspaper. He took the official school photos of the fire at Old Main in 1970. He also photographed a meeting between the University President and the Black Panthers and a historic photo of Abbie Hoffman burning the United States flag on the CSU campus.

 After college Bill started working for Mt. Bell in Denver. There he met Sylvia Tuba. Two years later in May of 1975 Bill and Sylvia tied the knot in an outdoor wedding at Red Rocks Park. In 1979 William Tyler was born and in 1982 Zachary Charles was born.

 Bill was a Boy Scout leader for Tyler and Zach’s Boy Scout troop and he helped the boys with projects for Boy Scouts, Odyssey of the Mind and many outdoor activities.

Archery, leather-working, re-loading, fly tying, fly fishing, canoeing, black powder shooting, photography and water-color painting were some of the hobbies that Bill enjoyed over the years.

He was also a prodigious story-teller. There were many nights spent around the campfire listening to Bill’s stories.

 Bill’s love of the outdoors was contagious and he had many proteges. Christopher, Tyler, Zach, Ian, Liam, Sylvia and Ildi will always carry Bill’s love of the outdoors with them.

 When Bill was laid off from US WEST, after suffering a stroke in 1995, he took a job at Mike’s Camera and later at Home Depot. He enjoyed the customer service role.

 Bill was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease in 2014. He was told at that time the life expectancy was five years after being diagnosed. Bill lived ten years after his diagnosis, a testimony to his resiliency and stubbornness.

 Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sylvia, two sons Tyler and Zachary, his daughter-in-law Ildi and William Lane (Liam) his grandson and namesake. Also survived by his sister Camilla Lyn Lane, nephew Christopher Gallegos and brother-in-law Juan Trevino. Preceded in death by his parents and his sister Marjorie Trevino. Bill also leaves behind a large extended family of

in-laws, nephews, nieces, their children, and of course his many cousins from Kansas.

Memorial Service Thursday, October 10, 2024, 10:00 am, Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227. Reception to follow service

Donations may be made in Bill’s name to National Jewish Hospital in care of Interstitial Lung Disease Research.