Comments on: Holiday Retirement Corp. Founder Passes Away

By: Terry Friel

Terry Friel — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:47:08 +0000

It is with great sadness that I have learned of Bills’ passing. I had the pleasure of working for Bill and Hugh in the mid eighties as a Masonry Contractor.Bill was such a dynamic person, it was always an exciting time when Bill and company would fly into a project , he would treat us all like family and he was always so enjoyable to be around.
I had the pleasure or should I say honor of working on Bill and Bonnies personal residence in Salem in the mid eighties , as a young man with little money and no where to stay while working in Salem Bill had stay with Hugh and Faye, they took me in and made me feel like family, He even had his youngest son Brad pack hod for me that summer.
Bill Colson is without a doubt the most decent human being I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, the world is a better place because of him, and my thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie, Brad , Bart , Hugh and the rest of the family.

By: Scott St. Mary

Scott St. Mary — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:07:44 +0000

I just learned today of Bill’s passing. While not close in recent years, I was saddened to hear of his passing. He truly was honest, sincere and very inspirational. Bill extended a warmth that surpassed business and was a genuine inspiration to my career. Peace be with him and his family.

Sincerely,
Scott St. Mary

By: Billy Colson

Billy Colson — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:25:29 +0000

I sure miss my Grandpa. Thanks so much for all the encouraging words. There is not a day that goes by I don’t think of him. Life sure is different nowadays. We will see him again though, someday!

Love,

Billy

By: Nancy and Bob Wolfenbarger

Nancy and Bob Wolfenbarger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:39:44 +0000

How can we say all that Bill meant to us? Ever since we heard the sad news of losing him we have tried to find the right words and this has not been an easy task.

My husband, Bob, has had the privilege of being Holiday’s pilot fo the last 24 years. What wonderful memories he has had of the many flights they have gone on. Bob had the honor of being with Bill since 1983 when the company was a small handful of people and has now grown to the multitude of employees. Bill was much more than what one would call a “boss”—no…Bill was a dear friend.

As we read the other tributes about Bill it brings tears to our eyes because all is so true. He indeed had so many gifts, and we feel the greatest one was the joy that he could give to everyone. He had such a way about him to make everyone feel important and special. His smile was so genuine and his enthusiasm contagious. He always put God first in his life and his kind spirt shined through to others. Bill lived as an example of God’s love and it showed in his everyday life.

Bob and I were so fortunate for the great times with Bill and Bonnie; especially at Quail Valley Ranch in Central Oregon. Those times will always be treasured. So many fun memories such as: working together to build “the bridge”, wathching Bill’s face as the deer enjoyed the crops he had planted, seeing him smile and be so content as he drove the tractor, the beautiful Christmas party at “the barn”, the fireworks on the snow at New Years, and the special every Friday taco dinners including Bill’s special milkshakes that he made for us. Just a small sample of the many treasured times with Bill and Bonnie.

Bill and Bonnie treated us as family and our hearts ache with our human pain of losing him. They have been with us in our loss of parents and the joy of our son’s marriage. When you lose a friend that held so much kindness, wisdom and integrity as Bill, it hurts greatly. Why wouldn’t it? Who wants to lose such a blessing as Bill, but on the other hand how very blessed we were for having him in our lives.

Our sincere sympathy, prayers, and love go out to Bonnie, Bart, Brad and the rest of the Colson family. Thank you for sharing Bill with us, we will never be the same because of the love and influence on our lives that he has given to us.

By: David and Kim Phelan

David and Kim Phelan — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:44:57 +0000

This is a copy of an email sent to Brad Colson.

Hi Brad,

I could hardly believe the news when Kurt called me yesterday. Although I was aware of how ill Bill was, I tried to hold out hope that somehow he would pull through the ordeal.

It seems like only yesterday that you and your dad visited our house after purchasing the ranch and forever changed our lives. You both brought a feeling of joy and enthusiasm to not only our lives, but all the people at Quail Valley Ranch. He was a man truly dedicated to making people’s lives better. Whether it was his wonderful generosity in bringing us fresh vegetables from the valley or building an addition on our house, he took such obvious pleasure in bringing happiness and good cheer to the many people he touched in his life.

We always looked forward to his visits and his winning smile that made our day a little better. We will miss seeing him driving the tractors, burning brush or whatever task he could find to help out with. It was good to see him so happy being here at the ranch, waving at everyone throughout the day making us feel a part of something very special. And we all know how special this place is.

Kim and I want you to know how much we cared about your father, and that he will always hold a special place, not only for all the many memories, but most importantly in our hearts.

Please pass on our condolences to all the members of your wonderful family.

Much love,
David and Kim Phelan
Quail Valley Ranch
Prineville, Oregon

By: Bruce Dailey

Bruce Dailey — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:30:46 +0000

I had the opportunity to be the insurance broker for Bill, Holiday Retirement and Colson & Colson Construction for almost forty years. It began in 1966 by insuring a single nursing home. Without spending too much time, I will just say that the peaks and the valleys of those years mirror the rock-solid character of Bill. We had the special relationship of sharing the same Faith in the Sabbath. On many occasions we both related our belief in answered prayer. Others have described well Bill’s special ability to make one feel you were the most important person he needed to talk to.

Over the years we had the opportunity to personally get to know many of the senior employees. We personally inspected over fifty of the facilities in the US and the UK. Marie and I particularly enjoyed assisting the HRC staff in the open-house for the new facility they built near Bistol, England. HRC, Bill, Bonnie, Jim, Norman, Dan, Mary, Nancy, Dave, and so many others, you have a permanent place in our hearts.

Bill and Bonnie raised their two sons the same time Marie and I raised our three daughters. We shared the joys of being grand-parents. The years have passed so swiftly, but the good memories will last forever. We have a wonderful faith that we will one day see Bill again, and want Bonnie, Brad and Bart to rest assured of that great hope!

By: Echo Lin

Echo Lin — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:23:57 +0000

It was a late Thursday evening, when I was collecting my mail from the mail box and a letter from Holiday Retirement Corp slipped out of my hand. I thought it must be some additional information for selling our interests. Opening the mail, I walked to the street light and read “…Bill Colson departed from this life…” What? No, the street light was not bright enough; I must have misread it… I just read the latest edition of Expounder not long ago about his award.

During my six years working at Holiday Retirement Corp, it was my privilege to ride in the corporate jet with Bill three times and get to know him personally. Bill had a photographic memory, a great story teller of events in the facilities that had happened decades ago. He was so in touch with the residents and staff in the facilities.

Bill was such a humble gentleman with great faith, extraordinary and yet ordinary. One time, we were in London, Canada for a grand opening. We arrived late Friday night and early Saturday morning, Bill was already up and had checked the church service schedule in the vicinity. We joined a local church service and I was so moved when Bill knelt down and prayed. After the service, he drove us touring around the town. Because I had a bowl of soup for breakfast, it was about the time that I needed a restroom but I did not see anything. Finally, I said “Bill, Bill, I need a break pretty bad.” He smiled and half teased, “Okay, we will find you a place.” We stopped by an ice cream shop and everybody in our group got an ice cream bar and I found my restroom.

Bill was passionate about life and reflection of everyone. He shared my joy of the birth of my son and shared the grief of the sudden loss of my mom. He always greeted you and held the door open for you when he saw you coming. I learned that wealth is not only measured by money, but most importantly by being humble and being kind to everyone.

Bill, when we are looking at those shining stars in the night sky, we will remember your kind and smiling face. What a comfort knowing that you are up there in a better place!

By: Larry Goodreau

Larry Goodreau — Thu, 31 May 2007 00:47:41 +0000

Bill is one of the most genuine and endearing people I have ever known. I was fortunate to first meet Bill in 1986 when his vision was just taking flight. I was able to tour and see first hand the loving care that went into these early projects. Bill made me stretch as a banker. He made me see beyond the numbers and made me realize how hard people have to sacrifice to make their dreams come true. As he continued to develop his vision and grow his holdings the one thing that remained constant was his humility and the sincerity of his words. The unbounded enthusiasm in his voice as he discussed his latest venture and what it would mean to so many people was contagious. He is indeed a most unique person, one who never forgot his roots and one who always remembered those who helped make his dreams a reality. He has left a legacy that will long be remembered in the industry, in his communities and with those left behind to carry on. Thank you Bill for allowing me to have such fond memories of such a very special person.

By: Randy Yost

Randy Yost — Sun, 27 May 2007 20:54:17 +0000

As a former manager with Holiday my wife and I had the wonderful oppotunity of meeting and working for such a wonderful person that truily walked the talked.

The senior world will miss him and heaven has welcomed home a true giant to the faith.

By: Jeff Griswold

Jeff Griswold — Fri, 25 May 2007 04:11:28 +0000

“Be persistent and go after what you want!” These were some of the inspiring words that Mr. Colson gave me, a young entrepreneur that had built up enough courage to call him and ask for a meeting. He returned my call and said “sure, come on by the office right now.” For the next two hours Mr. Colson treated me as if I were the only thing on his mind. Before I met Bill, I would have told anyone who asked, such men do not exist. How do you oversee such a large enterprise as Holiday and still take the time to return the phone call of someone you barely know…let alone sit with them for two+ hours and dispense immeasurably valuable advice. I will remember my conversations with him for the rest of my life. He was a mentor, role model and hero for me and countless others.