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William E. “Bill” Curtis

Birth	:	26 Dec 1935 Colfax, Whitman County, Washington, USA
Death	:	16 May 2020
Burial	:	Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.8891983, -117.3494034
Description	:	William “Bill” E. Curtis, 84, rancher, passed on to greener pastures and faster horses on Saturday, May 16th. He was born in Colfax, Washington on December 26, 1935, and was the third son of E. J. “Ed” and Ruth Curtis. He graduated from Colfax High School in 1954 and went on to serve two years in the Army stationed in Germany from 1954-56. After his return from duty, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Miller, on November 11th, 1956. They lived on the Curtis family ranch in Elberton, Washington, until the spring of 1957. He joined the... Read More	William “Bill” E. Curtis, 84, rancher, passed on to greener pastures and faster horses on Saturday, May 16th. He was born in Colfax, Washington on December 26, 1935, and was the third son of E. J. “Ed” and Ruth Curtis. He graduated from Colfax High School in 1954 and went on to serve two years in the Army stationed in Germany from 1954-56. After his return from duty, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Miller, on November 11th, 1956. They lived on the Curtis family ranch in Elberton, Washington, until the spring of 1957. He joined the family ranching operation in Colfax and was honored with his dad and brothers, Bob and Jack, as Whitman County Cattlemen of the Year in 1962. He also helped brother Jack at his ranch in Stavely, Alberta, Canada. He began his lifelong dream of becoming a cowboy and cattle rancher when he and Karen moved to Ritzville, Washington, out on Crab Creek. Being new to the Ritzville community, Bill enjoyed getting involved and meeting new friends through the Jaycees and Adams County Cattlemen Association. After riding in the fair parade with Karen his first year in Ritzville, he was determined to bring the rodeo back to the community. With the help of the Jaycees, they started holding rodeos at the Curtis Ranch starting in 1960 through the rest of the decade. He went on to be a founding member and first president of the Ritzville Rodeo Association where he and his friends built a new rodeo arena and held their first rodeo in 1970. He was an avid team roper and was instrumental in bringing ropers from around the Northwest and beyond to participate in highly regarded “jackpot” team ropings held at the Ritzville Rodeo arena. Bill loved anything to do with horses and cattle and began raising racehorses with the purchase of stud, Catch Bar, in 1961. They raced Catch Bar’s offspring successfully for several years until Catch Bar was lost in a tragic barn fire on the ranch. Bill weathered all the ups and downs of cattle ranching and farming on the 5C Ranch. Through bumper crops and grain embargos, bad calving winters, and when the cattle weighed good, he always remained optimistic and saddled up. Bill and Karen had four children: sons, Dirk, a baby who died at birth and Miles; and daughter Robin. He was proud to have them work beside him on the ranch and learn the values of hard work and being tough. He encouraged them in sports and was a very vocal supporter of all their games. Bill’s heart was broken when Dirk passed away in a 1976 car accident but had it mended when Miles came back to the ranch to help and eventually take over the reins. He was also very proud that all his grandchildren took part in working on the ranch and learning the ranch traditions. Bill and Karen started spending their winters in Wickenburg, Arizona, in 2000. Bill would take his horses and participate in team ropings all winter long. They made many great friends there who had ranching life in common, and he loved getting to rope as much as he wanted. He brought home many buckles for his success through the years. Bill knew someone wherever he went, who they were related to, and what kind of horse they rode. He was respected in all arenas of his life and his big personality made him a friend to all. He also served on the Ritzville School Board, was a member of the Washington State Cattlemen’s Association, and is a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sons. Instead of flowers, and because entry fees are already paid in rodeo heaven, memorials can be made to the Ritzville Rodeo Association. The family will have a Graveside burial service on Saturday. A larger celebration of life, where everyone can share their best Bill stories, will be held on the ranch later this summer. He was a damn good cowboy. Whitman County Gazette May 28, 2020

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William E. “Bill” Curtis's memorial?
William E. “Bill” Curtis's memorial is located at: Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, Whitman County, USA.
When did William E. “Bill” Curtis death?
William E. “Bill” Curtis death on 16 May 2020 in
Where are the coordinates of the William E. “Bill” Curtis's memorial?
Latitude: 46.8891983
Longitude: -117.3494034

Family Members:

Parent

Edgar Jones “Ed” Curtis

(1895 - 1979)

Ruth Ann Nolan Curtis

(1894 - 1982)

Siblings

Edgar Jack Curtis

(1921 - 1992)

Robert Russell “Bob” Curtis

(1924 - 2012)

Children

Infant Son Curtis

(1955 - 1955)

Dirk Curtis

(1958 - 1976)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Colfax Cemetery
Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8891983, -117.3494034

2. Lloyd Cemetery
Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8924700, -117.3726300

3. Mount Olivet Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.8739014, -117.2275009

4. McConnell Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.9539830, -117.4686210

5. Bethel Cemetery
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6. Albion Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.7868996, -117.2518997

7. Saints Home Cemetery
Union Center, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7613983, -117.3478012

8. Elberton Cemetery
Elberton, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9821100, -117.2108300

9. Pitt Cemetery
Fallon, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8368988, -117.1588974

10. Eden Valley Cemetery
Palouse, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9407997, -117.1472015

11. Ewartsville Cemetery
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Coordinate: 46.7287000, -117.3178000

12. Onecho Cemetery
Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7503014, -117.4775009

13. Moys Cemetery
Almota, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7299548, -117.4143646

14. Garfield Cemetery
Garfield, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9999100, -117.1498600

15. Coleman Cemetery
Fallon, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8444310, -117.0963620

16. Odd Fellows Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7313800, -117.1908400

17. Greenwood Cemetery
Palouse, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9043999, -117.0686035

18. Whelan Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7785900, -117.1167800

19. Farr Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7262420, -117.1915700

20. Trinity Lutheran Church Columbarium
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7390110, -117.1626180

21. Spalding Cemetery
Almota, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7061005, -117.4633026

22. Zion Lutheren Cemetery
Endicott, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9672700, -117.6388500

23. Pullman City Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7107353, -117.1739502

24. Dusty Cemetery
Dusty, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8107200, -117.6436200