William George Jewell

William George Jewell was born March 3, 1947, to Elizabeth and William Jewell in Denver. Bill excelled in baseball and played 3rd base on a Pony League team, handpicked by an umpire who became their coach. They were undefeated for many years. He also played in high school for Regis, Arvada HS, and South HS (where he graduated.) He earned a baseball scholarship to Trinidad Junior College, where he played for one semester. He then transferred to Colorado State University, where he majored in Turf Grass Science. His step father, Jim Haines, who was the golf course superintendent at the Denver Country Club for 42 years, encouraged Bill to pursue this career path. Bill was the first in his family to graduate from college.

Bill’s first job as a golf course superintendent was with Foothills Golf Course in 1971, where he managed the “growing in” of that new course. Soon after starting his job, he met Kathy Kay, who had recently moved to Denver after graduating from Iowa State University. Within six months of meeting they were married in September 1971. Bill went on to supervise the golf courses at Heather Ridge Country Club and Heather Gardens in Aurora. In 1976, his daughter, Amy, was born.

Bill was hired by the City of Lakewood in 1977 to manage the city parks. He earned his master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. When the City of Lakewood decided to develop a 27 hole golf course, Bill was the perfect person to supervise the construction of the course, which became Fox Hollow Golf Course. The course officially had their Grand Opening in August 1993. The sister course, The Homestead Golf Course, opened in 2002. Bill was also the manager of Bear Creek Lake Park. Bill had a wonderful career, always stimulating and taking him to new challenges. Most of all he loved - and was loved by - the people that he worked with, many who became lifelong friends.

Bill retired in 2016. He continued to enjoy the game of golf with friends and family and continued his favorite activities: tennis, skiing, hiking, biking and watching the Rockies, the Broncos and the CSU Rams. Summertime was spent in Northern Minnesota on Ten Mile Lake where he and Kathy had a cabin. He loved to spend time in the kayak, canoe, and cruising every evening on a “cocktail cruise” greeting neighbors along the way. Bill was loved by many friends and family and will always be held close to their hearts.

Bill died on November 8, 2024, of complications from Lewy Body Dementia. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his brother, Dean; his daughter, Amy; his son in law, Brian McDowell; and his grandsons, Drew and Ty.

Bill’s Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 5, from 2:00-4:00 pmat the Fox Hollow Golf Course Clubhouse in Lakewood.

The family would ask that donations be sent in Bill’s honor to Collier Hospice Center: 3210 Lutheran Parkway, Wheat Ridge, 80033, or to the charity of your choice.