William Younger

William Leroy "Sam" Younger (80) passed away on Friday, June 16, 2006. He was born in Denver on January 5, 1926 to Guy and Eunice Younger. He was raised in the North Denver area, near the old Bears Stadium/Mile High Stadium. Eunice, a widower, had two sons, Paul and Babe, when she married Guy. Eunice and Guy had three children, Robert, Betty, and Sam.



Sam lost his mother when he was 12 years old, after she had a heart attack while running to catch a train to visit Guy at the railroad hospital at Salida, CO.



Sam was 15 yrs. old when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. He quit school and on the 14th of December, he had entered active duty in the U. S. Navy by changing the date on his birth certificate. He followed the Navy footsteps of his three older brothers, Paul, Babe and Robert. He was assigned to the U. S. S. Bountiful (AH-9), and crossed the equator on July 20, 1944, proceeding to Guam on the 24th of July. The USS Bountiful was a hospital ship.



His father passed away in 1946.



The majority of his military time was spent in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged on 10 February 1947 as a Boatswain's Mate Second Class and received several medals including, the Philippine Liberation Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal.



While at his last duty station in San Diego, he married Madge "Ann". They resided in southern California for a period of time. He and a friend started an upholstery business.

Sam and Ann moved to the Champaign, IL area where he was hired by the railroad and subsequently moved to Denver. He worked for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. They adopted Guy Frederick "Fred" in 1953. Sam and Ann were divorced and she returned to Urbana, Illinois. Fred was killed in a motorcycle accident, July 1973 in Denver, CO, and interred in Illinois.



Sam and Pat were married in Evergreen on August 7, 1964. Pat had two daughters from a previous marriage, Linda and Debbie. Harry T. Younger, their son, was born in 1968.



Sam worked for the D&RG railroad as a switchman and yardmaster. He also attended Opportunity School and learned how to become a shoe repairman. He had several shops in the Denver metro area. He worked for Crane Homes and retired from the Holiday Inn on 120th and I-25. He also served as a volunteer fireman with the Thornton Fire Department. Thornton was home for over 50 years.



Sam was preceded in death by a son: Guy Frederick " Fred"; his brothers and sister: Paul Lucas, (Audrey), Babe Lucas (Evelyn), Robert Younger (Julie), and Betty Leitner (Elmer). Audrey Lucas and Elmer Leitner are surviving sister and brother-in-law.



He is survived by his wife, Patricia, two daughters and one son: Linda Briggs (Patrick Swift), Debbie Grabarek (Steve) and Harry T. Younger (Kimberlee). Grandchildren: Eric J. Briggs (Brenda), Kevin Grabarek, Rylee Younger, Emilee Younger, Kloee Younger and two great grandchildren, James and Sarah Briggs.



Memorial service will be held, Thursday, June 22, 2006, at 10 AM, Newcomer Funeral Home, 901 South Sheridan, with military burial at Noon, Fort Logan National Cemetery.



He will be greatly missed by family and friends.