Billy Eugene Mason (Bill)

Billy Eugene Mason (Bill) age 90; formerly of Sterling, Colorado passed away in Las Cruces, New Mexico on March 5, 2025 surrounded by his family.

Bill was born May, 8, 1934 to Jean D. and Laverne (Douglas) Mason in Grenola, Kansas. He was the eldest of 4 children. He spent his early years in Grenola, Kansas graduating from Grenola. High School. His family moved to Wichita, Kansas where Bill started college at Wichita State University and also worked at Boeing Airplane Company. It was there that he met thru college friends, Frances Margaret Prentice who would become his wife on May 26, 1957. Bill and Frances were married for 67 years at the time of his death. Two children were eventually born, a daughter, Michelle and a son Michael to complete their family.

Bill was still attending college and working at Boeing when he was drafted into and served in the Army and was honorably discharged after serving his tour of duty. He returned to Wichita and continued to pursue and received his college degree from Wichita State University while still working at Boeing. The family lived in Wichita for many years while Bill taught part time for the Wichita School System. He also did post graduate work at Wichita State University and later also at the University of Northern Colorado. When an opportunity came for Bill to accept a teaching position in Colorado, he and his family moved to Sterling, Colorado in 1970 where he taught in the RE-1 Valley School District as a middle school teacher and also coached at Caliche Junior/Senior High School. Bill had a passion for teaching and he could relate to all his students who affectionately gave him a nickname of “Mase” and used that only when appropriate. He liked the name but he was always greeted by hello Mr. Mason by the students and those in the community. After he retired he continued to substitute in the Sterling School District for several years until health issues began to complicate his life. These health issues were the deciding factor that brought him and his wife to move to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2020 to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law. Bill had several chronic illness and among those he also suffered two strokes but he preserved until he could no longer fight the “good fight”.

Bill had a strong faith and tried to live the life that God had laid out in the scriptures for those who would follow his teachings. He was very involved and active in his church in Sterling and respected and loved his “church family”. He always honored God and he was ready to occupy the room the Lord has promised him when his got the call to join the Lord.

Bill was extremely proud of his 2 children; 3 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren and looked forward to hearing of their latest ventures and accomplishments through phone calls, I-Pad Face Time, and the notes, letters, and art work he would receive.

Bill is survived by his wife, Frances of Las Cruces, his son Michael and daughter-in-law Kathy Mason of Las Cruces, his daughter Michelle (Mason) Schwartz and son-in-law Stan Schwartz of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; his granddaughter Ashley (Mason) Norred and her husband Chad Norred and great-granddaughter Annie of Las Cruces; grandson Jeffery Schwartz and his wife Jessica Schwartz and great-grandson Miles of Thornton, Colorado; and granddaughter Stephanie (Schwartz) Philo and her husband Brandon Philo and great-grandson Max of Hillsboro, Oregon. He is also survived by his brother, James Mason of Benton, Kansas and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

Private funeral services will be held at a later date at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

In Lieu of flowers, you may donate in honor of Bill to American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Sterling First Christian Church “Helping Someone” Fund.