William Ramsey Obituary

The world lost a legend on January 7, 2015. William (Bill) Ramsey was a native and lifelong resident of New Mexico, who traced his ancestry from Ireland to the hills of Kentucky, to the cattle country west of the Texas panhandle. Born the youngest son to Frank and Louise Ramsey on May 23, 1944, he spent countless days in the canyon lands of the Four Corners nurturing a curiosity of the traces of ancient civilizations he found there.

A child of the fifties, he also found himself caught up in the music of the day and like so many others of that era, developed an affinity for the guitar that remained with him his entire life. To nurture his passion for the music he became a DJ working for KRZE Radio in Farmington. He booked countless acts at McGhee Park that included Buck Owens, who Bill's band, Country Billy Boy and the Golden Boys opened for. He spent, and thoroughly enjoyed several hours with Freddie Hart. Jim Reeves came to play and Tommy Collins even stayed the night at Bill and Donna's house, just to honor their invitation. In return Donna cooked chicken fried venison for dinner which Tommy thoroughly enjoyed, until he discovered what it was....Bill was able to steal away an afternoon of fly fishing with George Jones on the Dolores river, that I hear George was so grateful to have. Bill loaned Charlie Pride his jacket and Charlie never did get that returned. And one of his more memorable moments was helping Willie Nelson finish a verse of a song just before Willie took the stage at McGhee Park.

The book he wrote (Tapacitos) was a reflection of his love of the history of the area, and a personal look into the life of the author himself. He loved to tell stories and you could be sure that half of every story was true - you just never knew which half. If he wasn't creating new dance moves (the Grapevine...), crossing the desert in a covered wagon, being raised by wolves, adopting African orphans, or fighting off the paparazzi (he WAS Elvis Presley's long, lost twin brother...), he could be found bragging about his grandchildren and in the streams of southern Colorado quietly enjoying the art of fly fishing.

Bill Ramsey was one of the wisest men I will have the pleasure to know. He was honest, opinionated and he cared passionately about two things: #1 The well being of his family and their ability to be solid, contributing citizens for their community...He was very proud of them all...

#2 The recent "crippled condition" that this country has been afflicted with over the past 7 years, under current leadership. Just ask him...

Bill is survived by, his high school sweetheart, sparring partner, better half and life-long love, his wife Donna, with whom he shared 50 unforgettable years; his daughter and son-in-law, Wyn and Dan Shry of Durango; daughter and son-in-law Cyd and Chuck Hildner of Durango; son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Marcie Ramsey of Richland, Washington; 6 grandchildren; Irelyn Shepard, Prezley Shry, Tavyrn Ramsey, Bryer Ramsey, Lyric Hildner and Wyllow Hildner; his brother, Bob Ramsey (wife Kathy) and sister, Betty Musgrove. He was preceded in death by both parents and his oldest brother, Ben Ramsey.

We REALLY miss you...