William LaVerne "Bill" Ott

William LaVerne “Bill” Ott

June 15, 1933 – February 3, 2025

 Bill died peacefully of natural causes in Aurora, Colorado while under tender hospice care. He was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where his father was temporarily a barber for the Army, before his family’s return to Bill’s maternal grandmother’s family’s home in Ft. Collins, Colorado, and eventually settling, while Bill was in elementary school, in Aurora, Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Joanie and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Edna; brother, Charles; and sister, Edna May. 

Bill graduated from Aurora High School (now the West Middle School) in 1952, where he played football and basketball. Before graduating, he joined the Naval Reserve stationed at Buckley Air Force Base (now Buckley Space Force Base), and after graduating, went on to serve two years of active duty, primarily in Adak, Alaska, as an airplane mechanic. Upon leaving the Navy, Bill attended the University of Colorado Boulder and went on to obtain a degree in Mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado. He later earned a Masters Degree in Computer Education from Lesley College. 

Bill taught mathematics in the Aurora Public Schools for 42 years, first at South Junior High School, but primarily at Gateway High School, from the time the school opened in 1974, until he retired in 2001. His love of working with students in Honors Geometry is still well known. He was Chair of the Math Department for many years and held a leadership position in math at the district level. He also loved coaching basketball and track. He was thought of by many as the consummate teacher. 

As a young teacher, Bill’s favorite summer job was heading the crew that constructed the stages in Cheesman Park for the Denver Post Opera. As a stagehand for the performances, he loved meeting the performers and being part of the productions. 

Bill was an avid Colorado Buffaloes football fan and had season tickets for many years. He loved playing golf and he and Joanie had many wonderful golf trips around the country. He traveled many times to Arizona to play golf with old college buddies.

Gifts in Bill’s name may be made to the Aurora Public Schools Foundation.