William Way III

William Way III, 87, of Wellington, Colorado, passed away on April 24 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Alley C. Way, his parents, and his brother, Peter Way, of Scottsville, VA. Bill is survived by Kevin FitzPatrick, his half-brother, of Highlands, and many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family who all will miss him dearly. 

Special thanks to Janice Seideman, his nurse in Fort Collins, CO and to all the wonderful caretakers at Commonwealth Senior Living in Charlottesville, VA.

Bill was born in Jacksonville, Florida, to William Way II and Beverly Trosdal Way on March 15, 1934.  He went to school at Shattuck Military School in Faribault, Minnesota. Bill continued with his military career by joining the Navy and serving in the Korean War, on the USS Casa Grande LSD-13 and then on a small minesweeper off the Korean coast.  He achieved the rank of Quarter Master 3rd Class and served honorably for 4 years.  He bore the physical scars of that service for the rest of his life, receiving a Purple Heart for his sacrifice.  

After his dutiful service, he attended Colorado State University, ultimately receiving a Master’s in animal husbandry. With this degree, Bill continued with his love of agriculture by becoming a cattle rancher, which became his life’s work. After college he worked on ranches in the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming, and finally Colorado, where he stayed working his own farm, tending his herd of 250 Hereford cattle. He worked tirelessly with the Colorado Cattleman’s Association throughout his career. 

He always wore a cowboy hat and boots and was a real-life Colorado cowboy. He was one of the last of the real cowboys working the range with his crew and Chuckwagon. He was rugged in the best sense of the word... he survived rattle snake bites, lightning strikes and all the ups and downs of rancher life.

Bill was an active member of his local VFW The Rocky Mountains Post 1781 and became the Company Commander of this post in 1979.  

A few years ago, he begrudgingly left his beloved Colorado to head east and be close to family. His heart stayed in the West, but his family was glad to have him nearby to care for him and hear again the amazing adventures he lived. Easy seas Bill, and may the wind be always at your back. 

A graveside service was conducted at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, SC, with close family in attendance. Memorials may be given in the form of a donation to the Disabled American Veterans or to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Scottsville Chapel of Thacker Brothers Funeral Homes. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories online with the family by visiting www.thackerbrothers.com.