William Alan DeWitt

William “Bill” Alan DeWitt, slipped away to his eternal rest on Tuesday April 25, 2023.  He passed away quietly in his sleep, he was 74. Bill was born April 12, 1949 in Rifle, Colorado. The son of Harold T. DeWitt and Alice I. (Bates) DeWitt, he grew up in Denver and Lakewood Colorado, graduating from Alameda High School in 1968. He enlisted in the Navy in 1969 and spent 24 years in the service. Bill retired from the Navy as OSCS/E-8 (Operation Specialist Senior Chief Petty Officer), served through Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War, and earned many decorations and awards including Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. His Naval retirement letter notes that Bill's "many contributions will have lasting significance, and we will continue to do our job better because of his efforts". 

Bill's hobbies were more like careers than a pastime, and when involved in them he was intense and focused. Those hobbies ranged from fly fishing and tying flies to making and repairing violins, and eventually composing a symphony. With time, he found a way to merge his passion for music to his love of computers and utilized a program that would perform his creation with a full orchestra. He was also a photography specialist for the Navy, which evolved into a hobby after his retirement. He was a licensed drone pilot with the FAA and became very adept at aerial photography. Bill was married twice: his first wife was Loreen Paulette Cottrell, his second wife was Susana del Lourdes Canali de Cadello, but he was not married at the time of his passing. Bill had no children, but was a favorite among his nieces and nephews.

Bill is preceded in death by both his Father and Mother. He is survived by his brother, Harold T. DeWitt Jr. of Columbia Mo., his sister, Deborah G. Jessee, of Conifer Co., his brother Richard D. DeWitt of Denver Co., and brother LeRoy C. DeWitt of Lakewood Co.