William P. "Bill" Spyker
Marriages
Debbie - June 11, 1983
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - May 10, 2014
William P. Spyker (Bill or Spike), age 59, Steamboat Springs, CO and Cape Coral, FL departed us on 5/7/14. He died in his home in Cape Coral from complications due to a medical condition he was dealing with for the past few years.
Bill was born 4/26/55 in Huntington Pennsylvania, mother Mary Jane and father William. Bill graduated from Jersey Shore HS with the class of 73 and left on an adventure that would find him in the army. He received an honorable discharge after it was uncovered that he needed two different shoe sizes due to a club foot that never slowed him down. From there he enrolled in Edison Community College in Ft Myers Florida and received an Associate’s Degree in Business. He then enrolled at the University of West Florida, where he graduated with a Business Degree in 1980. He met his wife Debbie during this time and they were married 6/11/83. Bill and Debbie moved to Albuquerque NM a short time after graduation where Bill found a job as an Account Representative for Avco Financial Services. He was quickly promoted to run his own office, which required a move to Denver, Co in 1984. There Bill and Debbie met many friends and settled in to the Mile High lifestyle for five years. In 1989 Bill and Debbie moved again, this time to Fargo, ND where Bill managed a Dakota Financial Services office. After enduring the chill of the northern Great Plains for a couple years, Bill and Debbie moved back to Denver where he rejoined Avco just long enough to realize that his true calling was in the education system. He enrolled in Regis University and graduated with the Class of 2000 with a Masters in Education. They made the decision to move to Steamboat Springs in 1999 with Bill working for the Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Dept working on the trails in the summer, then transitioning to work as a bike cop in the fall. Bill did his student teaching at SSHS and was hired shortly after as a resource teacher in 2001. He went back to Regis and obtained a second endorsement in special education. He taught at SSHS for 11 years, leaving in 2012 due to health challenges that he never fully recovered from.
Bill had many interests, including fishing, golfing, baseball (softball), cooking, philosophizing, socializing, music, literature, Springer Spaniels, his students to whom he was totally devoted, his many friends who he cherished, his family that he loved, and too many more interests to mention. His counsel and companionship will be missed by all who knew him.
Bill is survived by his wife Debbie, their dog Piper, his father William N. Spyker, his sister Beth Schulze and two nieces Lyndsay and Elesha, along with the many friends he made over the years.
Bills wish was to be cremated. His ashes will be spread at various places that were special to him. There will be a service in Steamboat Springs, time and date yet to be determined. If you have ideas on a venue or wish to participate, please contact Krista Kauffmann at 970-875-0216 who is planning the celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation please direct it to the Steamboat Springs School District in Bill’s honor, or to the American Liver Association.
A poem that was very special to Bill is Desiderata, which can be easily accessed online. Read it if you get the chance. Bill was kind, caring, feisty, and flawed just like the rest of us. May he rest in peace.
05/14/2014: A celebration of Bill Spyker’s life will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Aurum Food & Wine, 811 Yampa St. Light appetizers and soft drinks will be served. If you or your family were touched by Bill, join us in remembering this wonderful man’s life. Call Krista at 970-875-0216.
