William Thorpe

February 28, 1917 – August 30, 2009 William Thorpe Jr. joined his Ultimate Fishing Partner and beloved wife Helen, on August 30, 2009. Born February 28, 1917, in Auburn, Nebraska, to William and Elva Thorpe who later moved to Scottsbluff to take over his father’s business, Thorpe Cleaners and Laundry, which Bill and his wife Helen operated for nearly 45 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and his of wife of 67 years, Helen. He is survived by his brother and wife, Jack and Mary Thorpe in California, his sons, Robert W. Thorpe and his wife Anne and family, Jim and Kim, Hunter and Brook Thorpe in Seattle, Washington; Jack and wife Andrea and their children Dan, Nick and NaSeana in Fort Lupton, Colorado; and his daughter Dee Frost, husband Larry and grandsons Jon and David; great grandchildren Katy, Dawson and Logan of Parker, Colorado and Hunter of Seattle, Washington. William and Helen (Hursh) Thorpe were married December 24, 1941, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Gering, Nebraska. Bill served in the Navy during WWII along with his brother, Jack, and family members Kenneth Fleenor and Al Hursh. He returned to his home and business in Scottsbluff, where they enjoyed the friends and business people of the valley and were active in St. Andrew’s (now St. Francis) Episcopal Church. Their greatest love was camping and fishing with friends and family in the Wyoming and South Dakota trout lakes. Bill practiced his values as a businessman and father to his family, the greatest of which were hard work and honesty. After a pending memorial service in Colorado where Bill and Helen lived their last few years, Bill’s ashes will join Helen’s in St. Andrew’s (St. Francis) Episcopal Church in Scottsbluff, Nebraska in the church’s columbarium. Any memorial can be given to St. Francis Episcopal Church or a favorite charity. May the rest in peace on their final fishing trip. Tabor-Rice Funeral Home handled arrangements.

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