William “Bill” F. Esch – October 6, 2023

William “Bill” Frederick Esch, age 90, passed away on October 6, 2023. He was a resident of Colorado Springs for 90 years. 

Bill was born on April 29, 1933 to John Donald Esch and Alice Ann (Weberbauer) Esch in Colorado Springs, CO. On September 17, 1955 he married his high school sweetheart Connie Jean Pounds.

Bill attended St. Mary’s High School and Regis College before joining his dad’s business as a Sheet Metal Apprentice. He later became the owner and president of Don Esch, Inc., which was one of the largest sheet metal companies in Colorado Springs, operating from 1955-1979. Don Esch, Inc. worked on notable projects in Colorado Springs including the second phase of NORAD, the Mountain Bell Telephone building, numerous buildings at Fort Carson, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Colorado College. Don Esch, Inc. had a long-running project in Joliet, Illinois from 1958 to 1974, installing furnace systems in new housing construction. Bill served in the Construction Battalion (SeaBees) in the United States Naval Reserve from 1951-1958 and remained patriotic throughout his life.

Since childhood, Bill loved the Colorado mountains and was an avid fisherman, hunter, and camper. He enjoyed sports and was a talented hockey goalie for St. Mary’s hockey team winning the Most Valuable Player award in 1951-1952. He also played high school baseball and football. He turned to golfing in his retirement. Bill enjoyed a lifetime of bowling leagues with his friends and was known to enjoy poker and afternoons of computer solitaire. Bill met with his high school buddies regularly throughout his life, enjoying friendships for nearly 90 years. Bill was also lifetime member of the Sunrise Sertoma.  

Bill had a great passion for his family. His wife and children were his inspiration. He showed great strength, fortitude, and love throughout his life. Many who knew him saw his strength of character. He is beloved by his children and wife of 68 years and will be greatly missed.  

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Connie; his children: Lee Esch (Cindy Esch), Brian Esch (Regina Esch), Julie Ryder (Ted Ryder), Curt Esch (Mary Esch), and Amy Higgins (Dan Higgins); his grandchildren: Andrea Junior, Orion Esch, Bill Ryder, Andrew Ryder, Charley Ryder, Kyle Esch, Eric Esch, Mark Esch, Julia Esch, Ethan Higgins and Claire Higgins; and his great-grandchildren Keegan Esch, Madison Esch, Rylan Esch, Kennedy Esch, Cody Esch, Brady Esch, Alek Legendre, DJ Legendre, Mya Legendre, Autumn Junior, Grant Esch, Hazel Esch, Emmy Ryder and Evie Ryder.

A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00PM, Friday, October 13^, 2023 at the Shrine of Remembrance. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. A reception will follow at Patty Jewett Golf Course Clubhouse. There will be a private family burial in Evergreen Cemetery on Monday, October 16, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Saint Mary’s High School.