William "Bill" Van Buren Jr.

William Edgar Van Buren Jr., 84, of Littleton, Colorado, passed away on October 31, 2024. Born on July 8, 1940, in Hobart, New York, he was predeceased by his parents, Dorothy (Ryan) Van Buren and William Edgar Van Buren, Sr. and his brother, John Van Buren. 

William, affectionately known as "Bill" or "Grandpa Silly," was a devoted husband to Margaret Harvey Van Buren, whom he married in June 2003 after rekindling their relationship in 1996. Together, they shared a life filled with laughter and love.

Bill's personality was characterized by his infectious humor and adventurous spirit. He had a remarkable ability to make people laugh, often spontaneously displaying his wacky sense of humor. His grandkids knew him well for his playful antics, such as wearing costumes to greet them at the airport. He cherished family time, delighting in beach outings, hiking, and camping adventures. 

He is survived by his children, Holly (Keith) Underwood, Celene Van Buren, Gar (Michelle) Van Buren, Katie (Dzifa) Glymin, and his step-son, Christopher James (Mersadies) Harvey, along with his beloved grandchildren. He is also survived by his younger sister, Betty (George) Bergleitner as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alfred University. He had a successful career as a financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance and earned designations as a Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter. He was also actively involved in community service, serving as an ambassador for Toys for God's Kids and an active member of the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club.

His love for shelling and the beach drew him to Sanibel and Fort Myers, and he found joy in indulging in his favorite foods, including meatloaf, sushi, and strawberry rhubarb pie. Music was a significant part of his life, with a diverse taste ranging from opera and classical to artists like Elvis and Buddy Holly. 

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests that contributions be made to The Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club or Toys for God's Kids in honor of Bill's vibrant spirit and love for making others smile. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Toys for God’s Kiddos, 3531 S. Logan St. D-154, Englewood, CO 80113
Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club P.O. Box 355 Sanibel, FL 33957 https://sanibelshellclub.com/donate/