William Isaac Howard Jr was born on November 7, 1960, to Bill & Carolyn Howard in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Bill departed this life on June 5, 2009 in Eads, Colorado.

Since he was named after his father, 'Little Bill' would be his nick-name for the rest of his days. Even when he grew to be 6' 1 and wasn't little anymore, he was still 'Little Bill'.

Bill was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Cheyenne Wells in 1961.

Growing up in Cheyenne Wells and being the son of the sheriff there were things to prove. He didn't act alone in his escapades. He would enlist the neighbor kids: the Younger's, Kern boys, Krentz boys, Mitchek kids, and any others that would join in the 'fun'.

In his experiment with matches that he knew he was not to be playing with, he managed to set his shirt on fire, and burned his upper body. He spent 70 days in the hospital and proudly became Cheyenne Wells' first Kindergarten 'Drop-out'. When he returned home, his mother proclaimed that he was 'spoiled rotten' thanks to the nuns at the hospital.

Bill was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 13 years old; his days of testing his blood sugar and taking insulin were just beginning.

Always being the curious one, Bill was one day experimenting with his dad's gun and accidentally shot his little brother Jack. With no adults present, Bill proceeded to drive his brother to the hospital in his grandma's 1950 Plymouth. From then on, the joke was, if you go hunting with Bill; let him lead and everyone stay behind him.

In 1975 his dad took a job as the city marshall for the Town of Eads. This would open up a whole new world for Bill. He couldn't believe his dad was living across the street from Larry & Karen Watts and the house they had 8 girls living in it. Bill was quick to make friends and his friendships here lasted a lifetime.

Bill spent his summers working for Shay Mockelmann driving tractor with Tom Hoffman and his little brother Jack. Bill and Tom spent more time thinking of ways to make Jack's life miserable rather than actually getting work done. Jack would always get stuck with the 'crap' jobs because Bill and Tom, even after getting to work late because of the party the night before, would take the tractors and make Jack build fence, clean out grain bins, or any other jobs they didn't feel like doing.

Bill attended school in Cheyenne Wells thru the10th grade. He graduated from Eads High School with the class of 1979.

Upon graduation Bill worked for the Kiowa County Road and Bridge as a maintainer operator. The local 'pool hall' in Eads had a new bartender that caught Bill's eye. Bill and Lois Le Grand were married November 29, 1980. Bill and Lois made their home in Eads. Bills' punishment, in his eyes, for coming home late or not calling Lois, was a long night of card playing. As most of us know, Bill was as much of a card player as Michael Jordan was a baseball player. Bill started his life in the oil field with Rocky Mountain Oil Service, and this was also an opportunity to meet more people and make lifelong friendships. Born to this union were two children Timothy Wayne on January 5th, 1983 and Chelsey Frances on July 31st, 1984. Bill and Lois later divorced, however Lois remained a friend to the end.

Bill moved to Longmont to work for his brother David in the oilfield in 1991. He loved his brother however soon realized that brothers should not work together. After that revelation, Bill went to work in the construction business driving the 'yellow truck'. People could see him coming down the road in the 'yellow bumblebee'.

Bill moved to Lyons and became volunteer firemen for the Lyons Fire Department. He loved being a fireman, helping others in their time of need. Unfortunately, when his health started to fail, Bill was devastated that his time with his fellow firefighters was over. The Lyons Fire Department did however make Bill an honorary fireman as they knew his heart was still there, but his body could not follow.

Bill's health started to deteriorate and in 2000 he started dialysis due to the fact his kidneys were failing. In 2003, his brother Jack gave him the gift of a kidney, which meant no more dialysis and gaining freedom.

Bill had many passions in life; a few of those were, hunting, shooting pool, riding motorcycles and the ladies. Whenever Bill was in the hospital, the family would always know when he was on the mend by his 'flirting' with the nurses. Bill was a 'people person' and never knew a stranger. He was always up for a game of pool and some good friends.

In January 2008 Bill fell into a diabetic coma and spent the next three months in University Hospital. Bill would not fully recover from this and his life changed dramatically. He moved to Eads and spent his final days in Unity Village. Bill was able to maintain his independence, which was very important to him. Bill passed from this life peacefully on June 5, 2009.

Preceding Bill in death were his father, William I Howard, brother Douglas Wayne Howard, grandparents Herbert & Dora Howard, Wayne and Beatrice Balman.

He is survived by his children: Timothy Howard of Kit Carson, CO and Chelsey Howard and fiance' Levi Smalley of Greeley, CO. He is also survived by his mother Carolyn J.( Norman) Howard DeBusk of Billings, MT, two sisters Rebecca K (Darrell) Howard of Inola, OK and Dawna (John) Weirich of Eads, CO and by his three brothers Steve (Flo) Howard of Iron Mountain, MI, David Howard of Aguilar, CO and Jack (Konda) Howard of Eads, CO. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins

The family would like to acknowledge just a few of Bill's guardian angels over the years. Lois, Erin, Michela, Dorothy Lyon, Linda Lehr and the EMT's over the years who responded when called upon.

Bill lived life to the fullest and will be missed by his family and many, many friends. He is survived by his children: Timothy Howard of Kit Carson, CO and Chelsey Howard and fiance' Levi Smalley of Greeley, CO. He is also survived by his mother Carolyn J. (Norman) Howard DeBusk of Billings, MT, two sisters: Rebecca K. (Darrell) Howard of Inola, OK and Dawna (John) Weirich of Eads, CO and by his three brothers Steve (Flo) Howard of Iron Mountain, MI, David Howard of Agular, CO and Jack (Konda) Howard of Eads, CO. Funeral services were held on Wednesday June 10, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Eads with Pastor Nancy Peacock and Pastor Mike Williams officiating. Serving as casketbearers were: Dave Wall, Allen Wade Watts, Brad Andrew, Tom Hoffman, Bobbie Kern and Jeff Uhland. Honorary casketbearers were all of Bill's friends and fellow firefighters who had the pleasure of Bill's company. Final committal services were held at the Fairview Cemetery in Cheyenne Wells, CO. Memorial contributions can be made to any of the three volunteer fire deptartments: Eads, CO, Cheyenne Wells, CO or Lyons, CO.