William "Bill" Houston Newberry

William “Bill” Houston Newberry

May 2, 1925 ~ January 19, 2015

William “Bill” Houston Newberry, age 89, of Cimarron, Colorado, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2015 at the San Juan Living Center in Montrose.  Bill was born in Goodlett, Texas on May 2, 1925 to Winston T. and Nellie J. (Golston) Newberry.  He attended middle school at Oak Grove school in Montrose and then  Montrose High School.

After travelling from Texas to Colorado every year to pick fruit, Nellie bought the Newberry Store in Cimarron in 1940.  Bill joined the Army Air Corps, in 1943 and was an airplane and engine mechanic.  He was discharged in 1946 after serving two years in Italy.

Bill married Juanita Hernandez December 1, 1948 and they were inseparable for 66 years.  Bill and Juanita moved to Oregon where he was a car mechanic and Don was born.  The family moved to Wickenburg, Arizona where Jim was born and Bill was the manager of Frontier Motors.  In 1959 the family moved to to Cimarron to help his mother run the Newberry’s Store and he spent the rest of his life there.

During the turbulent years of the late 60’s and early 70’s a lot of kids spent the night in Cimarron and they admired the couple so much they called them mom and dad.   Bill loved to play poker and both Bill and Juanita loved to visit Vegas and Mesquite and enjoy  fun time there.

Bill was postmaster of the Cimarron Post Office for 35 years and  was close friends of the Cimarron community.  He was preceded in death by his father, Wint and his mother Nellie, his two brothers, W.C. and Joe T.  He is survived by his wife, Juanita and his two sons, Don (Barbara) Newberry, and Jim Newberry; four grandchildren, Jessica Newberry, Darcy (Phillip) Hawkins, Dylan Newberry and Bethany (Jake) Gorrino.  He was also blessed with 13 great-grandchildren.  Bill’s wishes were cremation and he will be buried in the Cimarron Cemetery.  There will be a Memorial Service at a later date.

A special thanks to the Dales, Sherry Lynn Nicolas, who visited him often.  A special thanks to Rich Jakino who ate dinner with him every week and a special thanks to Barbara Newberry who spent the last three nights with Bill.  The family would like to give a very special thanks to the staff and residents of the San Juan Living Center who gave great care and love to Bill, in his last year of life and special thanks to HopeWest Hospice.  Bye Dad, We Love You!  Arrangements are  under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado