Billy Rhodes
Burial Details
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - May 25, 2008
Routt County rancher Billy Marian Rhodes died recently at the age of 79.
Billy was born Aug. 25, 1928, to Irl and Lola (Holland) Rhodes in Springfield, Mo. Billy was the fourth son born in a family of five boys.
Billy remembered the trip from Missouri to Colorado; it took seven days, and they arrived in Hayden on May 2, 1934, when Billy was 5 years old. He remembered the trip over Gore Pass and the snow on the ground, which the Missouri boys thought was great.
The family moved south of Hayden near the Temple Reservoir, staying there for about three years before moving further south to Pagoda, where they resided another year and a half. The family moved north and later bought the Home Ranch, or Home Place as it was called. The family stayed on the ranch, and in 1948, they purchased another ranch in Elkhead area, which was referred to as the lower place. Billy spent his life ranching and did so with his brother Kenneth.
Billy also enjoyed riding snow machines, hunting, fishing, friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Harold, Chalmer and Marvin, and a niece, Susan Rhodes Burton.
He is survived by his brother, Kenneth, and sisters-in-law, Carol, Louise and Myrtle; as well as nieces, Kathy Brandon, Judy Kubery, Rita Jeep, Linda Rinfro, Peggy Wallace, Penny Gossert, Karen Gilroy and Glenda Rhodes, and nephew, Irl Rhodes. He had many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Services were held May 3 at Grant Mortuary Chapel, with Janet Babish officiating. Gretchen Hayes sang "Look at the Rainbow" and "Somebody Bigger Than You and I," accompanied by Theresa Stivers. Military honors were performed by the Hayden American Legion Post #89. Interment followed in the Hayden Cemetery.
