William Orval Shride |
| Posted 2008-11-09 by Sharon |
| Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ September 3, 2008, p. A16 William Orval Shride, Bill as he was known to everyone, was born in Phoenix, Ariz., on Oct. 2, 1936. He grew up in Wickenburg, graduating from Wickenburg High in May of 1954. Bill attended the University of Arizona in Tucson and graduated in 1958 with dual engineering degrees. After graduation, he went to work for Square D out of Milwaukee. He also served in the Naval Reserves. Bill continued the Shride tradition of membership in the Masonic Lodge. After leaving Square D, Bill went to work for Cutler Hammer, which became Miner Denver. He then decided to go out on his own and in the early 1970s he started Electro Systems, Inc. (ESI). The electrical engineering and design firm started in the basement of Bill’s Green Mountain home. He then moved to a warehouse in Englewood, back to Lakewood and finally to the current industrial site in west Denver. Bill led a full life and his work was not a job, it was a hobby, which he continued up until the last few days of his life. He traveled throughout the states and even Finland and the Arctic Circle designing and installing controls for everything from airport aviation fuel tanks, railroad bridges, ski lifts and newspapers as well as classified work for the government. When he was in a rehab center 10 days ago, he had one of his employees bring in a table and computer so that he could continue the work he loved so much. Bill met his wife of nearly 50 years, Margaret, in Boulder, Colo., and they were married Aug. 20, 1959. Bill and Margaret discovered their love of beaches and travel later in life. They enjoyed many wonderful trips together to locales including Australia, France, Florida, Hawaii and many Caribbean destinations. They purchased a beach condo on the north shore of the Dominican Republic in the early 1990s, and spent many glorious days together there. In 2001, Bill put his life on hold to care for his beloved wife Margaret who was struggling with COPD. He was steadfast in his devotion to her during the last two years of her life. She preceded him in death by five years. Bill was preceded in death by his mother and dad, Carl and Helen Shride, longtime Wickenburg residents, and his wife Margaret. Bill is survived by daughters Suzie Shride of Lakewood, Colo., and Allison Shride of Franktown, Colo. He also leaves two granddaughters, Sierra and Reyna, and his older sister Betty Lehan Hunter of Gilbert, Ariz. He is also survived by four nephews, Chris, David, Patrick, and Michael Lehan. Bill was laid to rest at Crown Hill Cemetery, Denver, Colo., on Aug. 24. His nephews Chris, David, Patrick and Michael carried his casket where he was placed next to his beloved wife Margaret. Bill was dedicated to his family and friends and will be missed forever by all of us who knew and loved him. |
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