- Date Of Birth: November 2, 1937
- Date Of Death: March 19, 2019
- State: Colorado
William F. Tafoya, 81, of Boulder, Colorado, passed away on March 19, 2019. He was born in Hanover, New Mexico on November 2, 1937, to William and Esther Tafoya. He was married to Sofia Valles on December 27, 1968.
William was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He served in two branches of the military,
Army and Navy from May 5, 1950 Army Junior Reserves from 1950 to 1953 and full duty from November
9, 1953 to 1956, in the US Army.
He worked in various industries including the food and restaurant Sous-chef with the Hilton Hotel in El
Paso, Tx, Miguel’s Steak House 1973-1975 and Roadway Inn EL Paso, Texas Line Cook. 1975. In the
industry of construction, Construction Rough and Finish Carpentry, building which, included, Highways
in Texas, the Library at The University of Texas at El Paso, The Sun Bowl at UTEP, The Main restaurant at
The El Paso International Airport 1986, housing and maintenance barracks at Fort-Bliss Military Base, El
Paso, Tx; Pratt Construction in Longmont, Colorado 1994 – 1999, and security officer with Seagate
Technology Longmont Colorado 2000 – 2013, where he received recognitions for his outstanding
performance.
He was an active member of his community, always willing to lend a helping hand to fellow neighbors.
He was a member of both Blessed Sacrament in El Paso, Texas an active member with the Knight of
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his wife, Sofia, his daughter Theresa Ann Sotelo, and
son Charles Anthony Bowyer.
Surviving family members include: sons; Michael Lawrence Tafoya, William Tafoya III, Toby R Bowyer,
son-in-law James Wiser. Daughters; Deborah Tafoya Carranza, Maria Annette Martinez, Angelina Esther
Tafoya, Natalia Blake, Mary Francisca Jones, and Jo Ann Wiser, daughter-in-law Amy Sue Tafoya, his
sister, Nettie Alvarez, brother, Henry Tafoya and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grandchildren include: Christopher R Carranza, Jacob Carranza, Robert Carranza, Issac Carranza, Debbie
Sanchez, Amanda Tafoya, Theresa Esperanza Leyva, Vaneza Sotelo, Demetrius Angelo Tafoya, Alejandro
Rufino Roman, Juan Fidel Roman, Jeremy Blake, Janesis Blake, Michael William Jones, Jessica Cavazos,
Toby Bowyer, Christine Bowyer, Charles Hugh Bowyer, Shaun Ignacio Bowyer, Javier Delao Jr, Rick Daniel
Delao, Jazzmin Dominique Tafoya, Madison Margaret Wiser, Steven James Curbow, Sydney Nicole
Curbow, Rebecca Lynn Curbow, and Rikki Louise Curbow. He is also survived by 45 great and great-great-grandchildren: Christopher A Carranza, Carlos Carranza, Nicholas Carranza, Martinique Carranza, Leilani Carranza, Joshua Carranza, Robert Carranza, Cheyenne Carranza, Dominic, Lucia, Robert Carranza, Olivia Issac Carranza, Robert Carranza , Anthony, Delilah, Isabella , Adrianna , Angel, Daniel, Alyssa, Issac Carranza, Viviana, Benjamin, Nathan, Jeremy, Alexa Sanchez, Abraham Sanchez , Amethyst Tafoya , Amber Cuellar, Abigail Cuellar, Teresa Brionna, Denise
Ashley, Isabella, Janie, Charlie, Tony, Darian Cavazos, Alexandra Cavazos, Adrian Cavazos, Cadence Sofia
Delao, Liam Nathaniel Delao, RyU Dorian Torrez, Rayn Dominik Torrez, Athena Cavazos, Josiah Cavazos
and Ameriah Grace Curbow.
William was a devoted and caring husband, father and grandfather, and friend to many. He was known
as a great storyteller, loved to share stories about his adventures in the military, and he loved to cook.
During the last 6 years of his life, he served selflessly as his wife’s primary caregiver. He had a good
sense of humor and loved to spend time with family. He was dearly loved by all who crossed paths with
him. We will all miss him dearly.
Lafayette, CO.
4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO 80236
