Obituary- Billy ‘Hap’ Haddow

Billy ‘Hap’ Haddow
12-11-1943 ~ 7-11-2012
Billy ‘Hap’ Haddow passed away peacefully at his home July 11, 2012 from complications of COPD. He was born in Pueblo, Colorado and raised by his parents Myrtle and George Haddow, a Scottish immigrant.
He loved climbing the mountains around his house.
A graduate of the Holy Trinity High School in Trinidad who excelled in sports, he later received college degrees in both accounting and history.
After college he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army where he spent two tours in Vietnam as a member of the Recon Platoon of the 1st Battalion 5th Infantry (Mech) of the 25th Infantry Division, also known as the Electric Strawberry.” He was wounded in battle and spent a year in a body cast in Japan, later receiving a Purple Heart for his heroism.
He was never happier than when present at the birth of his son, Lawrence. A cowboy at heart, he paraded his young son all over San Francisco in his little cowboy outfits. He was a very proud grandpa as well.
Billy had many talents and was resourceful in finding careers. He was a policeman, worked in construction, drove a tractor-trailer hauling cattle, and loved restaurant and bar management in such places as Dallas, Texas, San Francisco, California, and Greeley, Colorado, just to name a few.
He will be most remembered for the sparkle in his eye and his broad smile that could charm and delight just about anyone. He lived, worked and played hard.
He is survived by his wife Helen; son Lawrence; grandchildren Preston and Aubrey Haddow; and cousins Tony and Donna Haddow of Trinidad, Colorado, John and Jackie Haddow of Littleton, Colorado, and Vernon (Vic) and Leigh Haddow of Henderson, Nevada.
A memorial service will be held July 28, 2012 at 1 pm at the Walsenburg Golf Club located in Lathrop State Park (1399 CR 502) (719-738-2730) in Walsenburg, Colorado.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project for injured servicemen and women, or the Sangre De Cristo Hospice who helped make his transition so peaceful.