William Gordon "Bill" Leafgren, 88, of Lucerne, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at his home on August 27, 2014. Bill was born on October 1, 1925 in Greeley to Arthur and Lily (Erickson) Leafgren and grew up on a farm northwest of Eaton. He graduated from Ault High School in 1943 where he excelled in athletics and was student body president. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 serving in the 77th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theatre. After the war ended, he served in the occupying force in Japan and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1946, while continuing in the reserve forces until 1949. He attended college on the G. I. Bill, graduating from Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) in 1950 with a degree in Vocational Agriculture. While in Fort Collins, Bill was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and played on the "Atom Bombers" intramural basketball team. After graduation, he joined the family farming operation with his father and brother, Larry and farmed at Lucerne for the next 60 years. Bill continued irrigating and driving tractors until the age of 85, retiring in 2011. He was currently the board chairman of Lucerne, Inc. On December 6, 1953 he married Annetta Ottoson at the First Presbyterian Church in Greeley. To this union was born their children, Brian, Brenda and Brad. They were married for 39 years until Annetta's death on June 23, 1993. On August 31, 1997 he married Suezann Knoedler at the Eaton Evangelical Free Church and enjoyed spending time with her children, Cyndee, Vickie, Larry and David, and their families. Faith, family and farming were the focus and joy of Bill's life. An avid supporter and spectator of his children's and grandchildren's school and sports events, he was a proud "Papa". A man who loved the outdoors, Bill was known as a good farmer and fly fisherman. For many years "coffee chats" with his farming friends was a daily highlight. Bill was an active member of the Eaton Evangelical Free Church his entire life, serving in many capacities, and especially loved working with the AWANA Club kids in his later years. He served on the Rocky Mountain District Board of the Evangelical Free Church and was also a member of Gideons International. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Lily, infant brother Richard, wife Annetta in 1993, and brother Larry in 2006. Bill is survived by his wife Suezann; sister Harriet Leafgren; sons Brian (Deborah) Leafgren, and Brad (Denise) Leafgren and their children Lindsey and Jackson; daughter Brenda (Michael) Trautner and their son Nicolas (fiancé, Kate Williams); and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by step-sons Larry (Jane) Knoedler and their children Matt, Jon and Tim, and David (Margaret) Knoedler and their children Sara, Jacob, Hanna and Allison; step-daughters Cyndee (Steve) Norman and their children Zachary, Rebekkah, and Jason (Sarah), and Vickie (Gene) Anderson and their children Haley (David Grigg), Taylor and Logan. Also surviving are step-great-grandchildren, Tony and Zander Norman. A visitation will be held on Monday, September 1, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00PM at the Eaton Evangelical Free Church 1325 3rd Street in the fireside room. A family burial with military honors will take place at the Eaton Cemetery on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 9:30AM followed by a Memorial Service at 10:30AM at the Eaton Evangelical Free Church. Memorial gifts may be made to the Eaton Evangelical Free Church, Gideons International, or the Weld County 4-H Foundation.