April 28, 1930 - October 29, 2020
William (Bill) Zust passed away peacefully in his home on October 29, 2020. Bill was 90 years old. Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois to Kenneth and Grace (Venhuizen) Zust. Bill’s boyhood was spent mostly in Des Moines, Iowa, where he met the love of his life, Patricia Henry. They were married in 1950, and they subsequently moved to Denver, Colorado in 1962 and Colorado Springs, CO in 1973.
After serving in the Marines during the Korean War, Bill worked for the Mountain Bell Telephone Company for 30 years before retiring in 1982. He started out climbing telephone poles, progressed to yellow pages sales, and served as a lobbyist. He eventually landed in marketing, where he ended his career as a district marketing manager. Bill worked hard for his family, and had a side business installing sprinkler systems for many years.
Bill loved fun too. The family spent almost every weekend skiing, camping, and four wheeling in the hills of Colorado. After retirement, Bill and Pat moved to Salida, Colorado, where they built their dream home, and spent time in and around the Fourteener mountains. Bill was a character – anyone who knew him knows it’s true. He loved to tease, tell stories, tall tales, and make others laugh. Years ago, Bill and Pat went to a Christmas party where Pat kept getting funny looks, and people were surprised to meet her. It turns out Bill had told everyone that Pat was a professional wrestler, and her ring name was “Mad Dog.” According to Bill’s story, Pat even had signature wrestling moves in his story – the Pretzel Hold with a JoJo Twist, followed by a Body Slam. That’s Bill.
Bill had a natural charm and charisma that drew people to him, and he had lifelong friends because of it. Bill exemplified the expression “you can’t beat fun.” Bill is survived by; his son Jeff and his wife Chom of Colorado Springs, his daughter Julie and husband Tim, of Rock Springs, WY, his brother Bob and wife Joann of Des Moines, Iowa, and seven grandchildren: Mattson Zust, Kristin Riley, Anna Hokum, Tim Waters, Chelsea Waters, Susan Anderson and Sandra Neugebauer. Bill also is survived by seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his brother Bud, sister Louise, his parents, and the love of his life, Pat. They were married 65 years, and were an illustration of true love and commitment.
Due to the current pandemic, a celebration of life will be held at a later time.
