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Official Obituary of

Billy Raye Ponder

August 2, 1937 ~ April 2, 2023 (age 85) 85 Years Old

Billy Ponder Obituary

Billy Raye Ponder, 85, died Sunday evening, April 2, 2023, at his home in Canon City, Colorado. A viewing for family and friends was held on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Harwood Cremation and Funeral Services in Canon City which was to be followed by cremation and internment at Pike's Peak VA National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado per available scheduling.

Billy was born on August 2, 1937, in Flat Creek, North Carolina to Eliza Lou and Lee Roy Ponder. He was the 8th of 11 children, 8 boys and 3 girls. He was also closely raised with a nephew, Bobby Wallen, and niece, Barbara Jean Wheeler. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers, Raymond Elias (Harvey), Richard, Ronnie, Joe, and Wayne, his sisters, Lucy Mauveline, Helen, and Beulah, as well as his close nephew, Bobby Wallen.

Billy graduated from Buncombe High School in 1955 and immediately joined the United States Air Force and served until 1963. He was stationed in Colorado where he met Margaret (Peggy) Janette Klingenberg in 1956. They married on June 7, 1957, and had 3 daughters, Lori Jane (born in March 1958), Chloe Lynn (born in November 1959), and Erin Denise (born in August 1967). Their son, Kevin Raye Ponder was stillborn on April 3, 1962. Billy and Peggy were separated and finally divorced in 1977.

Billy met and subsequently married Sally Kareen Grant in December 1979. She had 2 children from her previous marriages, daughter Kimberly, and son Nathan Grant. Over the years Billy and Sally moved several times before settling in Canon City, Colorado, where Billy enjoyed bowling and going out for coffee with the guys. His wife, Sally, passed away on July 5, 2015.

Billy is survived by his daughters, Lori Ponder, Chloe Williams (husband Richard), Erin Gondolfi (husband Steven), granddaughter Hannah Williams, stepdaughter Kimberly Stroh, stepson Nathan Grant (wife Debbie), stepgranddaughter KayCee Ann Grant, his brothers Tommy Ponder, and Harry Dale Ponder, and several nieces and nephews.

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