William John Wiltzius

William “Bill” John Wiltzius, 80, of Fort Collins, succumbed to cancer August 22, 2013 at his home, in the love of his family. A graveside service was held at Grandview Cemetery Friday, August 30, 2013 at 4 p.m. Bill was born August 5, 1933 in Chicago. He was the youngest of three children of Mathilda (Rohde) and Lawrence Nicholas Wiltzius Sr. Bill was a longtime resident of Fort Collins where he lived after leaving his boyhood home in Franklin Park, Illinois. He attended Colorado A&M College (1951-1955) with a major in Fish Management, and later Colorado State University for graduate studies in Fishery Science. He completed his Master’s degree in 1961, writing his thesis on the Yellow Perch at Boyd Lake, south of Fort Collins. Bill obtained a fellowship from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to continue graduate studies for a doctorate degree. He was the first PhD candidate to major in Fishery Science at CSU. His PhD thesis was published in its entirety by the Bureau in 1967 under the title “Effects of Monolayers on Insects, Fish and Wildlife.” During this time he met Nancy Kay Sherman of Colorado Springs, also a student at CSU. They were married December 26, 1964. In 1955 Bill was drafted into the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Aircraft Carrier Princeton (CVS-37), stationed in the Far East. Bill served for 18 months with his brother Lawrence, a career officer. His shipmate, Dick Maxwell of Chico, CA, has remained a lifelong friend. In 1958, he began work with the Colorado Game and Fish Department (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife) as a fishery biologist researcher. In 1965 he wrote the pre-impoundment study for the Curecanti Project on the Gunnison River on the Western Slope, known today as Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal reservoirs. Bill and Nancy lived in Montrose during the 12-year investigation until 1977 when they returned to Fort Collins for Bill to complete the post-impoundment study. The final report was published in 1978, entitled “Some Factors Historically Affecting the Distribution and Abundance of Fishes in the Gunnison River.” He became recognized as an authority on fresh water salmon. In 1981, he prepared a paper on the introduction and stocking of various fishes in Colorado from 1872-1978 that was used by State attorneys involved in litigation with the Colorado River Water Conservation District regarding early fish populations. At this time, he found that the history of early private fish culture had never been adequately reported for Colorado. He subsequently wrote a report entitled “Fish Culture and Stocking in Colorado, 1872-1978,” published by the Colorado Division of wildlife in 1985. Bill retired in 1987, but devoted the remainder of his life to researching early private fish culture in the state, compiling three albums of related historical data. He also co-authored numerous papers. He will be remembered as a modest man, with a quick wit, and sense of humor. His thoroughness and tenacity made him an extraordinary researcher and allowed him to excel at many activities. In 1947, he and his brother became the first Boy Scouts of Troup 154 of Franklin Park to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. He educated himself on fruit farming, planting over 22 fruit trees, and many grape vines at his home. He became a legendary apple pie maker and taught family and friends his art. He used his researching skills as a genealogist, and traced his family back to Luxembourg. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Nancy of Fort Collins; a son Andrew (Alison); a daughter Katherine Jackson of Wellington; three grandchildren; his sister, Sister Mary Ann Wiltzius, Daughters of Charity, of Evansville, IN; a brother-in-law Don Sherman (Susan) of Scottsdale, AZ, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Pathways Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

William John Wiltzius

August 5, 1933 - August 22, 2013