William Adolphus Means

William A. Means was born October 6, 1922, in Gainesville Florida to Clarence A. and Mary Elisabeth Means. On March 17, 1946, he married Margaret Mary Graham of Baltimore, Maryland. William served with the United States Army in the European Theater during WWII. He received his BSEE from the University of Florida in 1948. Shortly after, he moved with his family to Rockford, Illinois to work with the Barber Colman Company. In 1967, he and four colleagues started Applied Motors Incorporated of which he was president until 1977. He continued to work for many years as a consulting engineer throughout North America. Wiliam was awarded numberous patents for innovations to the design of electric motors and was a Fellow of the Institute Electrical and Electronic Engineers. While living in Rockford, he attended St. James Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Margaret of Denver, Colorado; daughters Lynn (Harold) Barton of Rockford and Mary Ellen Codon of Denver, Colorado; a sister Claire (Dr. Robert C.) Little, of Augusta, Georgia. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside service and interment a Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado. Donations suggested to the Salvation Army.