WILLIAM "Bill" MINELLI
Marriages
SALLY smith - August 1954
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel - May 24, 2009
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel - May 31, 2009
Steamboat Today - May 31, 2009
William "Bill" Minelli, 81, passed away suddenly at his home in Grand Junction May 22, 2009.
Bill was born on Nov. 21, 1927, in Virginia, Minn., to Leonard Minelli, of Montefalcone Valfotore, Italy, and Carmella (Scinto) Minelli.
Bill worked in the iron ore mines in Virginia before attending the University of Minnesota at Duluth. He then was called to serve our country as a surgical technician in the U.S. Army during World War II. After graduating college with a degree in English and social studies, he moved to Yampa for his first teaching job. There, he met the love of his life, Sally Smith. The two were married in August of 1954. This year would have been their 55th anniversary.
Together they had one daughter, Denise. They worked at various teaching jobs across the state before finally settling in Arvada, where he retired after 34 years of teaching. Bill and Sally resided in Arvada for 39 years, and in May 2002, they made the move to Grand Junction to be closer to the grandkids.
Bill and Sally enjoyed their monthly trips to Denver for theatre and dinner with friends. He also enjoyed playing the "Mexican train game" and Bunco with friends and neighbors in Grand Junction.
Bill was an amazing, generous and outgoing dad, grandpa, papa, uncle, brother and friend, who loved his family dearly. He will be greatly missed.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sally; daughter, Denise (Ed) Elder; sisters, Jane Young and Irene Jones; grandchildren, Jason (Tanya) Elder, Micah (Ed) Daniels, Jarad (Rachael) Elder; great-grandchildren, Brandi and Braden Elder, Chance and Austin Daniels and Reese Elder; nieces, Sandy and Shelbie Baskall and Peggy Young; and nephews, Don Adair, Jim and Rich Young and John Jones. His parents; a great-grandson, Bryson Elder; brothers-in-law, Harry Young and Gerald Jones preceded him in death.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. June 3 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Grand Junction. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 123 N. Seventh St., Grand Junction, CO 81501, or Catholic Outreach, 245 S. First St., Grand Junction, CO 81501.
Arrangements are under the caring direction of Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.
