William B. (Wilbur) Collister

William B. (Wilbur) Collister died Feb. 11, 2013, in Denver, Colo., at the age of 89. He was formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was a 1941 graduate of Roosevelt High School. Services were held on Feb. 16, 2013, at the Fairmount Cemetery Chapel in Denver, preceding his interment at Fairmount.

Mr. Collister is survived by his wife of 51 years, Alice Collister; by their “honorary” daughter, Karen Voll; and granddaughters, Ingrid and Kirsten; and four great-granddaughters.

Also surviving are brothers, Larew of Santa Cruz, Calif. and Emmett of Mount Prospect, Ill.; a sister, Ruth Jones of Golden; and nephews and nieces.

Preceding Mr. Collister in death were his parents, the Rev. and Mrs. T.C.Collister; sister, Mary Beth; and brothers Lauress, John and Vannin.

Mr. Collister was a legendary oil and gas attorney, at one time president of the Petroleum Club of Denver. He was a graduate of Princeton University and of the University of Denver School of Law.

Memorials are being given to the Ricks School for Gifted Children of Denver, which he helped to establish, or to the Denver Botanical Gardens of Denver.

Published Feb. 26, 2013 in The Gazette