William ""Bill"" F. Thayer

William F. Thayer, 82, a resident of Aurora, Colorado, passed away on October 9, 2015. He was born in a log cabin, February 4, 1933 in Rapid City. Bill was a gifted athlete in high school and won a full ride football scholarship as halfback to the University of Nebraska where he was named ""Crazy Legs Thayer"". Bill served in the Army at Port Whittier in Alaska where he was first diagnosed with a heart ailment. Bill, through his life, had a five vessel bypass and survived 10 heart attacks. He was a ""walking miracle"". Bill graduated with honors from the University of Denver. In high school, he met the love of his life, Gwen Uran, whom he married in August 1955. They had four children, three of whom were triplets. Bill loved fishing, bowling, golfing and was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker and Denver Bronco fan to the end. In 2002, he was inducted into the Rapid City Sports Hall of Fame as one of the best athletes in the history of RCHS. Bill and Gwen retired to Heritage Eagle Bend as Founding members in 2000, where he was very active in the HEB community. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to all. Bill is survived by his wife, Gwen (Uran), daughters Barbara Garcia and Brenda Thayer, sons Brad Thayer (Rebecca), Steven Thayer (Carolyn), 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Vera, his brothers Glenn and James, and sister Betty. Memorial services will be held on October 15, 2015 at 11:30am at Horan and McConaty, 11150 East Dartmouth Avenue, in Aurora, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.HoranCares.com. To support Bill's love of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, feel free to wear red.