In Memory Of
William Charles Himmelmann
1938
2022
William Charles Himmelmann
November 9, 1938 — February 10, 2022
William (Bill) C. Himmelmann
Born November 9, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York
Died February 10, 2022, in Denver, Colorado
Preceded in death by his father Charles Himmelmann and mother Eleanor (Martin)
Himmelmann.
Survived by son John William Himmelmann (Dara Johnson); daughter Katherine Bockelman
(Jon); grandchildren: Jon D. Bockelman (Robyn), Joshua A. Bockelman (Emily), and Kelly C.
Valverde (PJ); great-grandchildren: Peyton Bockelman, Lincoln Bockelman, Rory Bockelman and
Jude Bockelman. Also survived by his sister, Susan Ortiz (Donald); nephews, Andrew Ortiz (Allison), Daniel Ortiz,
Nicholas Ortiz (Nadina), and niece, Victoria Graves (Christopher).
After graduating from Brooklyn Tech High School, Bill started his career at the New York
Telephone Company in 1956, just before he turned 18. Within a week, he was "persuaded" to
join the union. Almost immediately, he began attending union meetings to "see how they were
spending my hard-earned dues." After overcoming his initial skepticism of the value of union
membership, Bill became one of eight lead organizers of the unionization of 110,000 New York
Telephone Company workers in 1962, and went on to become a lifelong, zealous advocate for
the labor movement.
He served in both the New York National Guard and the United States Army Reserves and
received honorable discharges.
Having been fascinated by the Rocky Mountains since a child, Bill obtained a transfer to
Mountain Bell and moved his family to Colorado in 1969, where he once again got actively
involved with the local union.
Bill served the Communication Workers of America (CWA) in New York and Colorado as political
director, chief steward, vice president, and president, after which he was elected six times to
head the metro Denver AFL-CIO as president of the Denver Area Labor Federation.
Bill's passion for worker's rights was rivaled only by his civic service. A Denver Post editorial on
February 17, 1990, titled "A Labor of Love" referred to his community involvement as "mind-boggling." Bill actively served on over fifty-five volunteer boards and advisory councils including Colorado Historical Society trustee, VP Council for Public TV (KRMA-6), Minoru Yasui
Community Volunteer Awards, Honorary Life Trustee Mile High United Way, founding board
member of Citizens Appreciate Police, Kaiser Health Advisory Council, Metro Denver Urban
League, and the Transportation Committee of the Denver Regional Council of Governments
(DRCOG).
After retiring from the phone company and DALF in 1992, Bill completed the Denver Metro
Chamber Foundation's Leadership Denver program in 1994 and was elected to the Denver City
Council, serving from 1995 – 1999. In his many years of union leadership, civic engagement and
city government, he met and worked with a "Who's Who" of local, state, and national political
officials, including two sitting Presidents.
In 2018, Bill sat for multiple interviews with Patricia Moore, which resulted in a book about his
life, "A Train Runs Through It – Journey of a Lifetime."
The book describes his passion for family history and staying connected with family and friends.
He organized several family reunions over the years, driving across the country with his kids and
grandkids to visit family in NY and Virginia.
Bill was also good at making lifelong friends, keeping in touch with some going back to
elementary school! He loved to throw parties, have people over and organize holiday
celebrations, including his annual Twelfth Day of Christmas Party.
Bill's family would like to express their deepest thanks to several people who helped him,
visited him and helped them in his last months: best friend Richard Pardo; neighbor and
guardian angel Brian Walter; book author Patricia Moore; and dear friends Lee Soggin, Sherry
Kreis, Mike Cerbo, Peg Johnston, Grace Walsh, and Rachel Gille.
Memorial contributions may be made to any of the organizations below.
Washington Street Community Center http://www.wscc-denver.org
Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award www.minyasui.org
Citizens Appreciate Police 1331 Cherokee Room 202 Street Denver, CO 80204
A Funeral Service will be held on May 11, 2022, at 1 pm, at St. John's Cathedral, Denver, with a
reception to follow. Additional parking is available at Argonaut Liquors
Born November 9, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York
Died February 10, 2022, in Denver, Colorado
Preceded in death by his father Charles Himmelmann and mother Eleanor (Martin)
Himmelmann.
Survived by son John William Himmelmann (Dara Johnson); daughter Katherine Bockelman
(Jon); grandchildren: Jon D. Bockelman (Robyn), Joshua A. Bockelman (Emily), and Kelly C.
Valverde (PJ); great-grandchildren: Peyton Bockelman, Lincoln Bockelman, Rory Bockelman and
Jude Bockelman. Also survived by his sister, Susan Ortiz (Donald); nephews, Andrew Ortiz (Allison), Daniel Ortiz,
Nicholas Ortiz (Nadina), and niece, Victoria Graves (Christopher).
After graduating from Brooklyn Tech High School, Bill started his career at the New York
Telephone Company in 1956, just before he turned 18. Within a week, he was "persuaded" to
join the union. Almost immediately, he began attending union meetings to "see how they were
spending my hard-earned dues." After overcoming his initial skepticism of the value of union
membership, Bill became one of eight lead organizers of the unionization of 110,000 New York
Telephone Company workers in 1962, and went on to become a lifelong, zealous advocate for
the labor movement.
He served in both the New York National Guard and the United States Army Reserves and
received honorable discharges.
Having been fascinated by the Rocky Mountains since a child, Bill obtained a transfer to
Mountain Bell and moved his family to Colorado in 1969, where he once again got actively
involved with the local union.
Bill served the Communication Workers of America (CWA) in New York and Colorado as political
director, chief steward, vice president, and president, after which he was elected six times to
head the metro Denver AFL-CIO as president of the Denver Area Labor Federation.
Bill's passion for worker's rights was rivaled only by his civic service. A Denver Post editorial on
February 17, 1990, titled "A Labor of Love" referred to his community involvement as "mind-boggling." Bill actively served on over fifty-five volunteer boards and advisory councils including Colorado Historical Society trustee, VP Council for Public TV (KRMA-6), Minoru Yasui
Community Volunteer Awards, Honorary Life Trustee Mile High United Way, founding board
member of Citizens Appreciate Police, Kaiser Health Advisory Council, Metro Denver Urban
League, and the Transportation Committee of the Denver Regional Council of Governments
(DRCOG).
After retiring from the phone company and DALF in 1992, Bill completed the Denver Metro
Chamber Foundation's Leadership Denver program in 1994 and was elected to the Denver City
Council, serving from 1995 – 1999. In his many years of union leadership, civic engagement and
city government, he met and worked with a "Who's Who" of local, state, and national political
officials, including two sitting Presidents.
In 2018, Bill sat for multiple interviews with Patricia Moore, which resulted in a book about his
life, "A Train Runs Through It – Journey of a Lifetime."
The book describes his passion for family history and staying connected with family and friends.
He organized several family reunions over the years, driving across the country with his kids and
grandkids to visit family in NY and Virginia.
Bill was also good at making lifelong friends, keeping in touch with some going back to
elementary school! He loved to throw parties, have people over and organize holiday
celebrations, including his annual Twelfth Day of Christmas Party.
Bill's family would like to express their deepest thanks to several people who helped him,
visited him and helped them in his last months: best friend Richard Pardo; neighbor and
guardian angel Brian Walter; book author Patricia Moore; and dear friends Lee Soggin, Sherry
Kreis, Mike Cerbo, Peg Johnston, Grace Walsh, and Rachel Gille.
Memorial contributions may be made to any of the organizations below.
Washington Street Community Center http://www.wscc-denver.org
Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award www.minyasui.org
Citizens Appreciate Police 1331 Cherokee Room 202 Street Denver, CO 80204
A Funeral Service will be held on May 11, 2022, at 1 pm, at St. John's Cathedral, Denver, with a
reception to follow. Additional parking is available at Argonaut Liquors
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Charles Himmelmann, please visit our flower store.
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