William Conrad Bauer

William C. (Bill) Bauer stepped into Heaven on March 4, 2021 after a valiant battle with Covid.
Bill was born on May 7, 1936 to Elgie and Carl Bauer. He was raised in the Mancos area which was originally settled by his Great-Great Grandfather George Bauer. Bill was a star basketball player and played ball at Fort Lewis College. He loved to dance and dancing was one of the many reasons Moeita Ramsey married Bill on June 9, 1956. Bill loved and adored his four children, Kim Threlkeld (Mike), Rusty Bauer (Valorie), Kelli Brown, and Kami Milne (Mark). Bill worked for Shell Oil Company prior to going into the ranching business with his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Margaret Ramsey, in 1960. Bill ran his ranch on Goodman Point up until his passing. Along with ranching, Bill worked with good friends at Keesee Motor Company for many years. He served as a County Commissioner for 12 years, where he was most proud of the work he and other dedicated commissioners completed in building the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, the Cortez Annex (housing senior citizens and many other county agencies), and helping to construct and build Centennial Park. Bill served on the Board of Directors for the local Cattleman’s Association and was chosen as Cattleman of the Year in 1978. He was a member of the Cortez Elk’s Lodge, served as a member of Club 20, and was on the Board of Directors for FastTrack Communications. At the time of his death, Bill continued to serve on the Board of Directors of the Empire Electric Association, where he began his service in 1993. Bill was proud to be the President of that Board for 21 years. Serving on the Empire Board was the highlight of Bill’s month and everything he did centered around his “next Empire Board Meeting.” Bill’s family would like to thank the Board of Directors, the management and all of the employees who are working hard for Empire Electric.
Bill is survived by his soul mate and the love of his life, Moeita; his four children, ten Grandchildren, Branon Bauer, Brendee Whitney, Kaleb Threlkeld, Swayzee Ramage, Sadee Klemish, Bauer Brown, Braxton Brown, Bryson Brown, Chance Simonson and Chase Simonson; along with 15 Great Grandchildren. Bill is also survived by many “best” friends, including great life-long friends from high school. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Elgie Matlock Bauer and Carl Frederick Bauer; his brothers, Fred and Kenny Bauer; and his special Son-In-Law, Steven Brown.
Our precious husband, father, and grandfather would tell you “things could always be worse”; “you are only as good as your word”; “leave things better than you found them”; and “your family is your greatest success”. We love him and miss him every day. He took a piece of all of our hearts when he left.
Graveside services were held at the Arriola Cemetery on March 13, 2021. A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at Bauer Lake on June 26th at 11:00 a.m.