Billy Jim Salley was born on July 6, 1938, to William Henry and Birdie May (Cox) Salley at his aunt Osa’s home in Akron, Colorado. His new home would soon be his family’s farm, located three miles north of Platner, Colorado.

Billy was the sixth of seven children. His older sisters often helped care for him as an infant and young child, and he fondly remembered how they doted on him. He enjoyed growing up on the farm, where he remembered romping with the cats and often coming away clawed from head to toe. When he was six, his parents got him a little Boston terrier bulldog named Nipper. He loved that little dog.

Billy attended Akron Grade School for first grade and then Center School near Platner for second through eighth grades. He would often share stories about riding his horse, Chiquita, to school. On really cold days, he would put a hot baked potato in his coat pocket to keep his hands warm, and when he got to school, he would have the potato for lunch. He later attended Akron High School for ninth through twelfth grades. He proudly traded in his horse and boots for fancy blue suede shoes, white socks, and Levi’s jeans as he embraced the style of his classmates.

In high school, Bill was very athletic. He joined the basketball team as a freshman and later ran hurdles for the track team. Bill also played football for Akron High School as a running back, safety, and linebacker. It was as a hurdler, however, that he won a conference championship. He went on to compete at the state championship in Boulder, where he was winning until he hit the second-to-last hurdle and unfortunately fell.

During his senior year, Bill was elected president of his class of 35 students. He graduated in 1956 and went on to attend CU Boulder, where he took engineering classes. He later moved to CU Denver, earned his degree in business marketing, and began working for Martin Marietta.

Martin Marietta sent him to the Tustin Institute of Technology in New Haven, Connecticut, where he received his environmental test engineer certification. Bill loved his job at Martin and cherished the bonds he created with his coworkers; he was always quick to assert what good people they all were.

Bill married his Akron High School sweetheart, Marlyn Spracker, in 1958, and they moved to Denver to begin a family. In 1982, he married Janet Thurmon of Littleton, Colorado. They were married for 31 years before her death in 2013.

After his retirement from Martin Marietta, Bill enjoyed winters in Arizona, spending time with his ever-growing family, and reading the daily newspaper. He was always finding ways to share his kindness and love with whoever crossed his path. Bill will forever be remembered for his abundant generosity and kindhearted spirit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Birdie; his first wife, Marlyn; his wife, Janet; his brothers, Paul and Glen; his sisters, Mary Ann, Phyllis, and Sandra; and his son, Kent James.

Bill is survived by his sons, Kurt (Kathy) Salley of Denver, Scott (Debbie) Salley of Lakewood, Roy (Vickie) Thurmon of Littleton, and Randy Thurmon of Littleton. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Wilson of Medford, Oregon. He will be missed by his 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026 beginning at 10:00AM until 11:00AM, followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00AM both at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood. A Reception will immediately follow the Funeral Service at the Horan & McConaty Reception Center.

Bill will be laid to rest with his late wife Jan on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 2:00PM at Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S Quebec Street Denver, Colorado.

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

www.T2T.org

Or

American Cancer Society

www.cancer.org

Please share your memories of Bill and condolences with his family by signing the guest book below.