James William 'Bill' Groom
July 20, 1946 ~ January 21, 2013
Resided in:
Colorado Springs, CO
James William 'Bill' Groom, 66, of Colorado Springs, Colo., passed away Jan. 21, 2013. Born July 20, 1946, to May and Glen Groom in Smithville, Mo. Bill was the first of his family to be born in a hospital. Bill grew up in Gower, Mo., on the family farm. He graduated from Gower High School in 1964. It was while attending grade school that he met his future wife, Diane. Together since tenth grade, they married Sept. 25, 1965. Bill served as a SGT in the United States Air Force. He served his country from March 1966 until being honorably discharged in Jan. 1970. A veteran of the Vietnam War he received the NDSM, VSM w/1BSS, RVCM and AFGCM. Bill was also an avid supporter of United States Air Force Academy Hockey and Football teams and was a season ticket holder for many years. After attending drafting school, he started in the steel industry in 1965. He started in the drafting department and then moved into sales. While working, he graduated from Maple Woods College with an Associates of Business Degree. After 46 years in the steel industry, he retired in 2011 as the Director of Rod and Bar sales at Evraz Steel in Pueblo, Colo. Bill and the family moved all across the country and made many lifetime friends during his years as a salesman in the steel industry. He loved his work, he retired twice, but what he loved most was being a father and grandfather. A humble and well-loved man by all who knew him, Bill is survived by his wife of 47 years, Diane; two daughters; Katharine (Dave) Barnes of Delaware, Ohio, and Lynsey (Dr. Frederick) Mechanik of Colorado Springs; three grandchildren; Karina McLaughlin, Madaline Angel and Weston Barnes; sisters, Ella (Bud) Williams, Betty (Chuck) Anderson, Glenda (Elmer) Curtner and Sherri (Patt) Lilly; brothers, Bob Groom and Ben Groom. Survived also by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nieces and nephews. Service, 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 7400 Tudor Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80919. Father Gary Parker will be officiating. Interment with military honors immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Warrior Family Community Partnership, 6371 Specker Ave., Building 1532, Ft. Carson, CO 80913-4104. Please make checks payable to WFCP and include 'Bill Groom' in the memo line. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
I am grateful for the life of Mr. Groom. Thanks to his service and to the service of others in our armed forces, my family and I have been able to lead our lives in freedom and peace.
Diane– After learning about Bill, we were shocked and saddened. It was great to see Bill, Lynsey, Madaline and Weston, when we met in K.C to have Karina come to St. Louis with us. Bill was just like he always was: friendly, happy and gracious. We have always been thankful and happy that Karina, our shared granddaughter, had such great and caring grandparents. We pray that after a time of sorrow, you will be able to find joy in your memories, happiness and purpose in your future. Our prayers are with you. Sue and Frank McLaughlin
To the family : my sincere condolences.
There is no greater pain than the death of a loved one.
Sometimes it seems almost more than a person can bear.
Jehovah God helps us with this in His word,
He promises us that He will put a stop to all sickness
and death will be no more (REV 21;3.4) Jehovah also
shows His love for us through the ransom sacrifice
of His beloved son Jesus Christ. What a wonderful gift to be given !
Then the hope of seeing our loved ones again
on this earth, transformed into a paradise. The Bible tells us
this was Jehovah’s will when He created Adam & Eve.
Please read:
(Genesis 1:26,27; John 5: 28,29; Psalms 37:11,22,29).
If you have any questions or comments,
You contact me at: ricruiz@aol.com
Sincerely:
Dear Diane, Today you are”Celebrating Bill’s Life” with your family and friends. We wish we could be with you. We have such great memories of you all when you were here in KC. Bubba was just telling me yesterday that they (the poker group) had such a good time playing with Bill when he was able to be there always joking and etc. Just know our prayers and thoughts have been with you all since we first learned that Bill was in the hospital. God Bless, The George’s
Diane Sorry to here about Bill. I think about the good times we had in school.Hope to see You when you come to Gower. Your Friend Fred and Patti Spaeth
Diane, Katharine and Lynsey,
Pat and I were so sorry to hear about Bill. We will always have great memories of the fun times we spent together and working with Bill. Our thoughts and prayers for you and your families.
Sincerely, Pat and Carle
Our heartfelt condolences to you Diane, Lynsey, Madaline, Fred and all loved ones of Bill’s. What a blessing to have been friends and neighbors these past 4 years! Bill’s friendly, kind, warm and fun loving nature will always bring us smiles.
With love and affection, Pam, Dave and sons
Sorry to hear about Bill. Spent the first 19 or 20 years of life with Bill. Our mothers were in the quilting club, went thru grade school, high school and traveled the 50 miles to drafting school every day. My condolences.
Diane, so very sorry to hear about Bill.
It was always fun to see you while you were in Pueblo and the time we spent together with our Grandkids.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lynsey, so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family during this difficult time. Sharon (Barela) Harris and children.
Diane, so sad to hear about Bill. We remember him as a warm, friendly, happy man. Way to soon to lose him, but know he is in the arms of the Father. Our prayers are with you and all the family. Love, Rob and Renee Waggener
Diane we are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers. Your neighbors at 6 White Dove Bob and Cathy Maes Pueblo
Diane, I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful person. Becky called me this week to tell me for which I am very grateful. Please call on me for anything that I might be able to do. I am so glad that I got to see you and Bill last year. Love, Your Missouri Cousin, Sharon
Bill was such an integral part of our life while he was at Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel. He is going to be missed by all of us. Our hearts and prayers go out to Diane and the Groom family.
I loved working with Bill at the mill in the late 90’s— he was always inspirational & so very kind in such a gentle way— with heartfelt thoughts & prayers….
Bobbie and I where totally shocked as Bobbie had just mentioned we needed to get together with you guys yesterday. Diane we are so sorry! We will keep you in our prayers.
Pat & Bobbie