William Warren DuFresne

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of William Warren (Bill) DuFresne, known as “The Great One” to family, on May 25, 2025. He was 86 years old. Bill had a hemorrhagic stroke and was taken from us too soon.

Born on March 26, 1939 in Evanston, Illinois, to William Armstead DuFresne and Hazel Olive (Wheelock) DuFresne. Bill Grew up in Prospect Heights, Illinois, and Vida, Missouri. Bill lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hacienda Heights, California, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Timnath, Colorado.

Bill graduated from Rolla High School in Missouri in 1956. He went on to get a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Missouri School of Mines in Rolla in 1967 and a Masters of Business Administration from Tulsa University in 1974. It took him a long time and hard work to get these degrees but he knew what he wanted and was bound and determined to succeed.

Early in his working career, Bill worked for Caterpillar Inc. It was his stepping stone into the aerospace industry. Bill had a very successful career working at Rockwell International on the 747 airplane and the Space Shuttle. He also worked at Northrop Corporation on the B2 Stealth Bomber. Bill retired in 1995 but went back to work for another 10 years. Bill loved working in the aerospace industry. Bill was also a computer geek and had one of the first Apple personal computers in 1977. He was also a Beta tester for AOL before the internet took off.

Bill married Barbara Jane Trolinger in 1960 and had one daughter, Kimberly Ann, in 1962. Bill and Barbara were married two weeks after they met. They were inseparable for almost 65 years.

Bill is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Kimberly (husband Will), grand-daughter Katherine (husband Joel), grandson Gregory and two beautiful great grand-babies Gus and Adeline.

Traveling the world was Bill’s favorite pastime. During Bill and Barbara’s traveling years they made it to all 50 states and all the continents except Antarctica. They went on more than 150  trips including Road Scholar trips, cruises, and train trips. He brought every trip to life through his videos.

Bill loved his family dearly. He attended his grandkids every event, no matter how large or small. Most of the time video taping and adding to the historical record. He would make VHS tapes and later DVDs about their most important moments.

Bill made a beautiful life for everyone. His legacy will continue. He will be missed and always be loved and in our hearts.