William Edmondson Obituary

William Frederick Edmondson, 86, died January 5, 2017, at his home in Colorado Springs. He was a retired geologist and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Bill was born June 2, 1930, in Pasadena, Calif., to John and Reta Edmondson. He graduated from California Institute of Technology in 1952 and moved to Bakersfield, where he began a successful career as a consulting geologist. He was proud of being California Registered Geologist No. 29. After serving three years in the US Navy, he returned to Bakersfield. He was married for 35 years to Carolyne (Bitters), who precedes him in death. They had two daughters, Lisa and Susan. Bill was active at First Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield, where he served five terms as an elder and six years as church treasurer. He moved to Colorado Springs in 1994 and in retirement was an active volunteer with Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, Ecumenical Social Ministries and Westside Cares. In 2005 he married Barbara Schaefer.

Bill enjoyed family vacations at the beach, hikes in Colorado, reading (especially Civil War and presidential history) and community service.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters Lisa (Roger) Ruhnow and Susan Edmondson; and grandsons William and John Ruhnow. He also is preceded in death by a brother, Jack Edmondson.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. January 21 at First Congregational Church, 20 E. St. Vrain St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westside Cares, 2808 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs CO 80904; or CASA of the Pikes Peak Region, 701 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs CO 80903.