Bill Jackson was, among many things, the voice of agriculture in Weld County.
When his close friends and sources of his more than 30-year career at The Greeley Tribune heard of his death in a traffic crash following a weekend of golf Sunday morning outside Montrose, that they could agree on. Well, that and Jackson’s sense of humor.
“When you mention his name, I have to admit, I start smiling ear to ear just thinking about everything we did together,” said Don Ament of Iliff, Jackson’s longtime friend, a former state legislator and former Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture.
Jackson, 71, traveled to Montrose on Friday with his lifelong friend Bob Thomas and their wives for a 4-H golf tournament, one of his favorite pastimes. While there, Thomas and Jackson met with old classmates from Yuma High School before waking early Saturday to eat breakfast and play golf.
While playing golf, Jackson said he didn’t feel well, but continued to play through. With six holes left, Thomas convinced him to go lay down at the clubhouse after his condition worsened.
Thomas and his wife left Montrose on Sunday morning a couple hours ahead of Jackson and his wife, Cheryl, who decided to drive home on U.S. 50. The night’s rest had him feeling better, Thomas said.
The Jacksons packed up their car and headed out. Cheryl texted Thomas’ wife to let her know they were on the road.
Shortly after, things went awry.
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