William "Bill" Mock

Brighton, Colorado resident and former Delta, Colorado resident William Arthur Mock, 88, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at his home in Brighton, CO.

Bill was born on July 16, 1931 in a small camp on a beach close to Watsonville, California (or so the story goes). He grew up on a farm outside Hotchkiss, Colorado, the child of James Raymond Mock and Emily Ester (Monroe) Mock. He was the fifth of five children; Jimmy, Alice, Donnie, and Rita. His father died of a heart attack when Bill was five years old. After his Father passed away his Mother moved the children into Delta, CO. He graduated from Delta High School in 1949 and went to Denver where he began working for Gates Rubber Company. He retired from Gates in 1989 at the age of 58, followed by a 30 year retirement of mostly fishing and some really wonderful trips he and Nora enjoyed together.

Bill met Nora Kathleen Rhoads, a career girl in Denver studying at the Barnes Business College in 1951. They both rented rooms at a boarding house where they sat together at a table for meals. They were married on August 9, 1952 at the Warren United Methodist Church. To this union, two daughters, Kathleen and Debra were born. Bill and Nora began their lives together in Southeast Denver where they lived for 14 years. They then moved their family to Brighton in 1966 and shared their home and lives together for 64 years until Nora’s death in January 2017. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his brothers; Jimmy and Donnie and his sisters; Alice and Rita.

He is survived by two daughters; Kathy Hellyer of Akron, CO and Debbie Oberhausen and her partner Toni Bellucci of Brighton, CO. Three granddaughters; Hallie Thomas of Gunter, TX, Kara Smith & her husband Jeff of Akron, CO and Samantha Oberhausen currently studying in Salem, OR, three Great granddaughters Chloe and Eleanor Thomas, and baby Smith to arrive in November. Sisters-in-law Patty Mock of Mt. Vernon, WA, Doris Venden of Loveland, CO and Iva Lee Stephens of Goodland, KS. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family.