William Berringer

William G. Berringer, of Erie, Colorado, joined his heavenly family and Savior Jesus Christ on April 2, 2013, after a lengthy battle with squamous cell carcinoma.

‘Bill’  was born in Goodland, Kansas, on August 24, 1941, the son of W.W. and Lois M. (Hooper) Berringer.  He was a graduate of Goodland High School and a member of the 1959 State Championship basketball team.  He attended Colorado State University as a scholarship athlete.  Bill played quarterback for the CSU Aggies football team, and he was also a member of the Air Force ROTC detachment.

On December 23, 1962, he married his high school sweetheart Judy Peter of Goodland, Kansas.  On December 23, 2012, the couple celebrated their 50th anniversary.  After college graduation in 1963, they began a five year tour with the United States Air Force, where William flew C-135s and C-141 Starlifters for the Military Airlift Command.  As an Aircraft commander, Bill flew worldwide missions in support of the Vietnam War.  He continued serving his country in the Air Force Reserve, and began his airline career flying with Western Airlines, and retiring after thirty-two years as an MD-11 Captain for Delta Airlines.  An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed elk hunting in the Colorado Rockies and salmon fishing in Alaska with his mother, father, sons and grandchildren.  The Kansas ring-necked pheasant was a threatened bird when William was in Sherman County.  During the last twenty years, Bill could be seen heading out to hunt tom turkeys northeast of Goodland.  The Lake House at Lake McConaughy in Nebraska was the venue for many summer gatherings where he enjoyed time with family and friends.  William taught many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends how to waterski.  After retirement he played basketball, not only locally, but competed globally in men’s Senior Olympic basketball tournaments.  He was an active member of Rock Creek Church in Louisville, Colorado.

He is survived by his wife Judy Berringer of Erie, Colorado; mother Lois Berringer; sister Judith McClure and her husband JB; sister-in-law Jan Berringer; brother-in-law Ernie Workman, all of Goodland, Kansas; children Robyn Eisenach and her husband Justin of Louisville, Colorado; Todd Berringer and his wife Angie of Erie, Colorado; Brett Berringer and his wife Heidi of Frederick, Colorado; eight grandchildren Courtney Whipps and her husband Nick of Casper, Wyoming; Matthew Eisenach and Ryan Eisenach, both of Fort Collins, Colorado; Triston Berringer, Darby Berringer, and Kalyssa Berringer, all of Erie, Colorado; and Brayden Berringer and Hallie Berringer, both of Frederick, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his father W.W. Berringer, identical twin brother Warren Berringer, sister Diane Workman, and nephews Mark McClure and Brook Berringer.

The memorial service will be held Saturday, April 13, at 1:00 PM MT, at the First United Methodist Church in Goodland, Kansas, with inurnment in the Goodland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be designated to Halcyon Hospice, P.O. Box 177, Mead, CO  80542.  Online condolences and guest register:  www.koonsfuneralhome.com