- Date Of Birth: August 21, 1925
- Date Of Death: October 20, 2017
- State: Colorado
William Jacob Bonifas
August 21, 1925 – October 20, 2017
Bill, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and dear friend to many, left this life after 92 years of love and joy. This world has lost one of its most vibrant souls, but lives on in the hearts of the countless people whose lives he enriched.
He was born in Isabella, Michigan on August 21, 1925 to Elmer and Mabel Bonifas. He worked in his uncle’s lumber mill until he joined the Army in 1944. He was on active duty from 1945 through 1946. He served in the Philippines and in the Occupation Forces in Japan in the Pacific Theater. His career in the Army included being a field lineman in the Signal Corps.
After returning from the War he met the love of his life, Patricia Guertin, with whom they had 8 children. They moved from Michigan to Colorado Springs in 1960.
Bill worked in banking for 30 years, retiring in 1986.
In his spare time into his 80s he was an avid skier, mountain bike rider, hiker and constantly active with the family. One of his and his wife’s favorite things to do was their regular Sunday drives in the mountains, sometimes driving as many as 400 miles a day. Another passion he shared with his wife Pat was trains and they regularly went to Cripple Creek or Blackhawk to gamble.
He was preceded in death by wife Patricia, and his daughter Iris Howe. He is survived by children Daniel (Cynthia) Bonifas, Stephen Bonifas, Amy (Mike) McGuire, Billy Bonifas, Geri (Jerry) Fitzpatrick, Jane (Mark) Gdovin, Mary Bonifas; and son-in-law Aaron Howe; 24 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
