Claude Rhinehart

Bill Rhinehart passed away on Jan. 17, 2021, at 92 years of age, after a brief time in hospice care, at his home in Grand Junction, Colo., surrounded by family. Bill is survived by his daughter, Eve Edmiston of Clifton, Colo.; son, Aaron   Rhinehart   of Pueblo, Colo.; a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Clark; a grandson, Jacob Edmiston; and four great-grand- children. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine (Pepper) Rhinehart; and twin sisters, Bernadine Callaway and Coiene Williams. Bill was born on Aug. 10, 1928, in Rocky Ford, Colo., to Claude and Lucille Rhinehart. Shortly after birth, Bill’s family moved to Palmer Lake, Colo., where he had a wonderful childhood. The family moved once again when Bill was 17 to Pueblo, Colo. He attended Central High School and Pueblo Junior college. He lived on Pueblo’s southside until the passing of his wife, Pepper, in August, 2018, wherein he moved to Grand Junction to be closer to family and great-grandchildren. After working at CF & I in the railmill, Bill began working for Midwest Steel as a salesman. The majority of Bill’s work entailed working for Allstate Insurance as a salesman in Pueblo’s Sears store downtown before working and retiring at his own Allstate Agency on the southside of Pueblo. As a result of his work and penchant for hanging out in Pueblo’s beer taverns and ethnic restaurants, Bill had thousands of friends in the Pueblo area. He was an active member of both the Elks and Eagles Lodges. Bill was of quick wit, always had a smile and was ready to help people out. His greatest charity was Easter Seals for which he volunteered often at the organization’s Penny a Pound Fund Raiser. Per Bill’s wishes there will be no service. His cremation ashes will be combined with Pepper’s and dispersed per their request. He was a great, hardworking, honest man and will be missed by family and friends. His family extends great gratitude to HopeWest of Mesa County, Colo., for their warmth, knowledge and professionalism during this difficult period.