William Greer

William “Bill” James Greer Jr, 84, passed away peacefully the evening of June 6th 2021 in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Born October 5th 1936 in Chicago Il. He was the son of the late William “Jim” & Helen Greer. They moved to Colorado Springs in 1949, and no matter where Bill lived or worked, he never stopped calling Colorado Springs home.

Bill graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1954. Immediately he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was 17. After basic training, he received his first assignment as a sonar-man on the destroyer USS Taylor. He described the duty as a “rough ride” but also as “meaningful and exciting.”

After being honorably discharged, he used the G.I. Bill to attend Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado.  He had said he “personally helped build the Air Force Academy.” when, during his summers off from college, he would return home to Colorado Springs, and as an hourly worker, he routinely transported 500-pounds of concrete in wheelbarrows. “The Academy construction job prepared me for my career in building management. I learned how structures were built from the ground up.” he had said.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, Bill passed the Civil Service exam with flying colors and began a decades-long career with the federal government in the General Services Administration. He lived and worked in seven states, including Alaska. His variety of assignments and duties resembled a military officer’s career, being routinely transferred, always with increasing numbers of employees under his supervision. He steadily rose up the ranks. Ultimately, he directly supervised 150 people, 176 buildings and a territory of 176,000 square miles in the Pacific Northwest, for which, he was recognized by President Ronald Reagan with the highly regarded Best Operating Group Award.

Bill was a longtime member of the Elks and American Legion.  He achieved Eagle Scout in 1951. Growing up, Bill was very involved in sports.  He was on the Colorado Springs YMCA swim team, skated in the Young America Hockey League, and played baseball, shortstop of course, for the American Legion. Later he loved attending live sports, boxing, hockey and his favorite, baseball! When his home team, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, were away his next favorite past time was enjoying the tables in Las Vegas and Cripple Creek.

Bill was preceded in death by his second wife Sandra Eick Greer.

Bill is survived by his daughters Connie Goins and Kim Crane. Grandchildren Kyle Crane (Alsion Davis) and William Lee Crane and a great grandchild Kylie Crane.

No services are planned.  Inurnment will be at the Shrine of Remembrance Columbarium of Hope in Colorado Springs.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to HopeWest Hospice of Grand Junction