William Ramsey

The world lost a legend on January 7th, 2015. William (Bill) Ramsey was a native and lifelong resident of New Mexico, who traced his ancestry from Ireland to the hills of Kentucky, and to the cattle country west of the Texas panhandle. Born the youngest son to Frank and Louise Ramsey on May 23, 1944, he spent countless days in the canyon lands of the Four Corners nurturing a curiosity of the traces of ancient civilizations he found there.
A child of the fifties, he also found himself caught up in the music of the day and like so many others of that era, developed an affinity for the guitar that remained with him his entire life. To nurture his passion for the music he became a DJ working for KRZE Radio in Farmington. He booked countless acts at McGhee Park that included Buck Owens, who Bill's band, Country Billy Boy and the Golden Boys opened for. He spent, and thoroughly enjoyed several hours with Freddie Hart. Jim Reeves came to play and Tommy Collins even stayed the night at Bill and Donna's house, just to honor their invitation. In return Donna cooked chicken fried venison for dinner which Tommy thoroughly enjoyed, until he discovered what it was.... Bill was able to steal away an afternoon of fly fishing with George Jones on the Dolores river, that I hear George was so grateful to have. Bill loaned Charlie Pride his jacket and Charlie never did get that returned. And one of his more memorable moments was helping Willie Nelson finish a verse of a song just before Willie took the stage at McGhee Park.
The book he wrote (Tapacitos) was a reflection of his love of the history of the area, and a personal look into the life of the author himself. He loved to tell stories, and you could be sure that half of every story was true - you just never knew which half. If he wasn’t creating new dance moves (the Grapevine...), crossing the desert in a covered wagon, being raised by wolves, adopting African orphans, or fighting off the paparazzi (he WAS Elvis Presley's long, lost twin brother.....), he could be found bragging about his grandchildren and in the streams of southern Colorado quietly enjoying the art of fly fishing.
He is survived by, and was the life-long love of, his wife Donna, with whom he shared 50 unforgettable years. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Wyn and Dan Shry of Durango, daughter and son-in-law Cyd and Chuck Hildner of Durango, and son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Marcie Ramsey of Richland, Washington. and 6 grandchildren; Irelyn Shepard, Prezley Shry, Tavyrn Ramsey, Bryer Ramsey, Lyric Hildner, Wyllow Hildner. He is also survived by his brother, Bob Ramsey (wife, Kathy) and sister, Betty Musgrove. He was preceded in death by both parents and his oldest brother, Ben Ramsey.
We REALLY miss you!