People

: Willard "Bill" Young; He was born to John and Emily Young and grew up in Hotchkiss, Colorado. He had what his sister Helen Johnson called a delicate chest and very poor vision. He served as the primary target of his father’s frustration and anger. He completed eighth grade and then entered the workforce as a housekeeper to John the Belgian, a local farmer. He worked for the United States Postal Service (sorting the mail) and also for the Frisco Railroad as an express messenger. He was denied entry into the armed forces during WWII on the grounds of his poor vision. When the family lived in Hotchkiss, they switched between the Methodist and the Baptist churches on different Sundays but they did attend every Sunday. He got married and moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas.

: Willard Foster; A farmer from Nebraska who lived near the town of Mesa, Colorado. He raised bees and had an apple orchard.

: William "Bill" A. Ranta; William "Bill" Arthur Ranta was born October 26, 1906, in Telluride, Colorado, to Jacob Ranta and Anna Ranta. His younger brother was Elmer Ranta. Bill helped to take care of Elmer while growing up. Bill lived his entire life in Telluride and was an avid basketball player for Telluride High. He graduated from high school in 1925. After graduation, Bill worked as a carpenter at the Smuggler Mill, with his father (Jacob) and then at the Meldrum Tunnel for a few years. He also worked as an assayer. During the Great Depression, Bill worked as a janitor at the post office. Bill enjoyed dancing and camping at Trout Lake in the family's cabin. William passed away in May of 1986.

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