William Clinton Slater Jr.

William “Bill” Clinton Slater Jr., age 77, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born November 7, 1948, in Smith Center, Kansas, to William Clinton Slater Sr. and Velma Dorothea Slater.

In 1958 the family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Bill graduated from Wasson High School in 1967. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a BA degree in 1972. He met Patty Nielsen in Boulder, and they were married in 1973 in San Mateo, California.

Bill began his career as a surety underwriter in San Francisco, California, in 1973 and remained in that field until he retired in January 2016. For his work in the surety industry, he traveled to construction sites throughout the western United States—from Point Hope, Alaska, to Jal, New Mexico.

He enjoyed playing golf, fly-fishing, traveling, taking photographs, and running, and he and Patty also enjoyed participating in many “Martin Open” family reunions. Bill was a forever CU Buff fan, and for many years he and Patty had season tickets for CU football (Go Buffs!). His pockets often held dog treats, and his heart was full of canine devotion, especially to his Labrador retrievers, Sam, Beau, and Eagle.

Bill was a loving husband, brother, uncle, and friend to many, and he will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Patty; his sister, Dorothea (Randy) Fritz; his brother-in-law, Mike (Gaye) Nielsen; and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your favorite charity or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Bill’s extended family and his wife, Patty, want to especially thank Dorothea and Randy Fritz; special friends, Lisa and Jim Klein; and the pastoral team at Bethany Lutheran Church who showed devoted care and kindness to Bill before his passing.