William Patrick Burger
Marriages
Else
Darlene Green - 2002
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3 D Obituary - September 18, 2016
Bill was born in Sunrise,
Wyoming to Otto and Evelyn
Burger. He passed away at his
home in Aurora, Colorado; he
was 86.
In 1942, Bill’s parents
moved the family to Grand
Junction, where Otto began a
long career with the D&RG
Railroad. While in high school, Bill worked a variety of odd
jobs including setting pins at a bowling alley, cutting hay,
harvesting fruit and helping in a shoe repair shop. He graduated
from Grand Junction High School in 1947, and later received an
Associate’s Degree. In high school Bill served in the Civil Air
Patrol and later in the Naval Reserve.
From these experiences and his love for his country, Bill
enlisted in the Army where he served in Schwetzingen,
Germany until his honorable discharge in 1953. In the Army, he
learned Topographic drafting and mapping. During his tour of
duty in Germany, Bill met and married Else and upon his
discharge, they moved to Grand Junction.
He worked as a cartographic draftsman with the Atomic
Energy Commission and numerous mineral exploration
companies in Grand Junction. In 1957 he took a job with Martin
Marietta Company in Denver, working as a Senior Mechanical
Designer until his retirement in 1990. He was recognized for his
outstanding work including Martin’s prestigious Inventor Award
and several patents that are attributed to his efforts. He was
proud of his work on satellites carried by Titan rockets, the
Lunar Lander, NASA’s Project Viking and the Mars Lander.
Bill took an early retirement after 32 years with Martin to care
for Else and her battle with cancer. After her passing in 1994,
Bill moved several times between Denver and Grand Junction.
In 2002 he married Darlene Green. In 2013, they lived in San
Marcos, California before settling down in Aurora in 2014.
Bill loved his family. He was known for his hard work, gentle
spirit, quick wit, generosity and patience. In his younger years
he was an accomplished bowler. He later became an avid golfer,
painter, woodworker and enjoyed dancing and traveling. Bill
loved his Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies.
While in Grand Junction he served as a Riverfront Trail Host,
was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Eagles
Lodge.
In addition to Darlene and her family, Bill is survived by his
sister, Luella (Dale) Dumont, Grand Junction; sons, Bob
(Carolyn), Grand Junction; Roy (Debi), Boulder, and Rick
(Lynn), Louisville; daughter in-law, Tari, Lafayette;
grandchildren, Lisa, Amy (Kirk) Jones, Justin (Andrea), and
Jenna; step-grandchildren, Casey and Mike Garrity; greatgranddaughter,
Madison Jones; a nephew and many nieces.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Else;
brother, Dan, and sister, Donna Lopas.
Services will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery on
Tuesday, September 20th, at 12:15 p.m. followed by a
celebration of his life at 1:30 p.m. at Fox Hollow Golf Course.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation
to either Denver Hospice or Denver Botanic Gardens.
