Bill (BJ)

North

Bill (BJ) North passed away unexpectedly at his home in Arvada, Colorado, on November 5, 2026. While he may have left us sooner than anyone expected, he certainly made the most of his 90 years and packed an incredible amount of life, love, and adventure into them.

Born in Anna, Illinois, on July 19, 1936, Bill went on to graduate from Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois, earning advanced degrees in accounting. A Certified Public Accountant, he spent his professional career as an auditor with the U.S. General Accounting Office, retiring after 29 years of service. He approached his work with the same thoughtfulness and attention to detail that he brought to just about everything in life.

One of Bill's greatest adventures was the life he shared with his wife, Marilyn. Married for 53 years, they were best friends, soulmates, and travel companions in every sense of the word. Together, they visited all seven continents, embracing the uniqueness and wonder of every destination. Their travels evolved over the years from backpacking adventures to organized tours and eventually cruising, but one thing never changed: Bill was always ready for the next trip! In fact, if he wasn't planning a trip, taking a trip, or reminiscing about the last one, something probably wasn't quite right. His suitcase was often packed a full two weeks ahead of departure, just in case. At the time of his passing, he was already busy booking excursions for their next cruise. Clearly, retirement had not slowed down his travel department.

When he wasn't exploring the world, Bill enjoyed being outdoors, whether playing golf, hiking, fishing, or simply spending time in the mountains. More recently, he had taken up birdwatching, keeping an eye out for feathered friends during his daily walks. He also treasured his quiet time in his favorite chair, with a good book and relaxing background music. And, of course, he never missed an opportunity to cheer on his favorite teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and Denver Broncos, even if some seasons required a little extra patience!

Following retirement, Bill continued to give back to his community. He volunteered as an ombudsman at health care facilities and served on several boards, including being an active member of his HOA for many years. He believed in being involved, helping where he could, and making a difference.

Bill was a true gentleman, known for his kindness, quiet humor, and subtle southern accent that never quite left him, even after all those years in Colorado. As the world seemed to grow more chaotic, he never lost hope and was always ready to remind us that we should be better than this. He often offered this advice:

"Be kind to one another and make the world a better place. Hold tight to those you love."

He didn't just offer those words as advice; he lived by them every day. His kindness, steady optimism, love of life, and devotion to those around him are the legacy he leaves behind.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Marilyn; sisters-in-law M. Cleo McElliott and Karen McElliott; brother-in-law Ray Gonzales; numerous cherished nieces and nephews, cousins, and many dear friends who will miss him tremendously.

A celebration of Bill's life is being planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Bill's memory are encouraged to make a donation to a favorite charity, the Cat Care Society (catcaresociety.org), or Community Table in Arvada (cotable.org).

Travel well, Bill. May your next adventure be wonderful, your suitcase already be packed, and your memories live on in all of us who were lucky enough to share the journey.