Obituary of William Gene Groves

On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, William (Billy) Gene Groves, loving husband and father of eight children passed away at the age of 72. William was born on January 7, 1949 in Denver, CO to William and Vyvienne Worster. He joined the US Army in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1975, having reached the rank of Specialist 4. William served as a Military Policeman enforcing the armistice and was deployed to the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom, between the two warring parts of Korea. His first son was born at the army base to William and his former wife AeCha in November 1971. After returning from his overseas service, William started his career at IBM, and had two more children. On February 14, 1981, he married Jane Louise Anthony and his three children became eight. William retired from IBM in 1992, after 25 years with the company. William had a passion for God, family and music. He was ordained as a minister on February 5, 1999. Prior to and during his retirement, he volunteered in many prisons, nursing homes and churches to bring God’s love to the lost, broken-hearted and abandoned. He would fearlessly enter those places, Bible and guitar in hand, and never left without those inside feeling uplifted and hopeful. He loved getting together on Mondays, with the men in SWAT (Spiritual Warfare Attack Team), and going on missions where they would pray for churches and people in need of help, healing and comfort. Family was so important to William. He loved all eight of his children so much and was so blessed by twenty-three grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. If he had a sport schedule for any of them, he would be there cheering. Many people knew William because of his music. William enjoyed playing in the Johnson's corner and Buckhorn gospel jams, with his group The Sonshine Boys or just sitting around the living room or a campfire with family and good friends. William is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Jane, their eight children, Dan, Ron, Jeanne, George, Don, Cindy, Mike, and Jerry. He also leaves behind his brother Ted, sisters Angie and Barbara, twenty-three grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Ted, mother, Vyvienne, sister Vyvienne, brothers, Ray, Ron, William, John and Bill. A viewing, celebration of life and reception will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Viegut Funeral Home at 1616 N. Lincoln Avenue in Loveland, CO. The viewing will start at 9 a.m., the service will begin at 10 am, with the reception to follow. Flowers or donations may be sent in care of Viegut Funeral Home at the above address.