Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 18, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Kit Carson high School in Kit Carson, Colorado. Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of ones choice. Mr. Rhoades was a longtime Cheyenne County rancher.


William H. Rhoades III was born December 4, 1935 in Cheyenne Wells Colorado to William H. Rhoades, Jr. and Adalene (Bentley) Rhoades. He passed away quietly at Weisbrod Memorial County Hospital and Nursing Home in Eads, Colorado on June 13, 2012 after a year- long battle with cancer.

Bill lived most of his 76 years in the Kit Carson community. He attended 11 years of school at Kit Carson, his senior year attending Wentworth Military Academy graduating in 1954.

In 1953 Bill married Sharon Blankenbaker, to this union one son, Richard, was born. In 1962 Bill married Donita Thatcher, Byron and Sally were born to this union. Bill and Donita enjoyed 48 years of marriage.

Bill expanded the ranch which his grandfather began in 1886. He was widely respected as a judge of quality cattle and horses. He was a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association.

Children were Bills greatest delights. It is often told that he would be calling a person and if their child answered the phone Bill would talk to the child and forget all about his earlier intentions. He supported his grandchildren in their endeavors and attended as many of their events as possible. Bills basketball playing days from high school and year at Colorado A & M gave him a knowledge and talent that he shared with his children, and later enjoyed watching local teams and eventually his grandchildren playing. It is said that he had a hook shot that never missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Wm H. in 1982 and Adalene in 1997, and by his wife Donita in 2010.

Survivors include brothers Bob (Sharon) Rhoades, Benkelman Ne; Don (Mary Ellen) Rhoades, Ashland Or; sons Richard Rhoades, Pueblo West CO and Byron (Mary) Rhoades of Kit Carson CO; daughter Sally (John) Anglin of Amarillo Tx and five grandchildren: Bryce Rhoades of Covington Ky; Tom and Jacque Rhoades of Kit Carson CO and Dani and Darby Anglin of Amarillo Tx; and his special friend Betty Glover of Lamar CO.