William Arnold McDaniel, 87, of Alamosa, Colorado, and recently of Provo, Utah, passed away peacefully in his residence at the Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living facility on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

William was the first Alamosa County baby born in 1935.  He arrived on January 2, 1935 in Alamosa, Colorado and won a $5.00 prize!   He was the sixth of eight children born to Roy Stewart and Opal Coombs McDaniel.

William grew up in Alamosa, CO and graduated from Alamosa High School on May 25, 1953.  Shortly after his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army.  He served from May 1954 to April 1956 on active duty being assigned to the Landstuhl Army base and the Ramstein Air Force base in Germany.  He then served in the Army Reserve until May 1962 when he was honorably discharged from military service.

Will attended Brigham Young University in Provo, UT and graduated June 3, 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a teaching certificate in secondary education.  He taught high school math in Tonopah, Nevada for 1 year and then in Rangely, CO for 13 years.  In Rangely, he was awarded "Outstanding Young Educator" by the local Jaycees organization.  William also served as the Rangely Middle School principal from 1974-90.  He retired from his work in education in 1990 having completed a 30 year career.

William got to travel a bit after his retirement visiting New Zealand, Australia, Lake Powell, the Grand Canyon, shooting the Colorado River rapids, driving to Alaska, visiting Washington D.C., and returning to Germany.

William always maintained close contact with his parents and siblings over the years.  He attended and financed a good many family reunions and activities from Utah to Colorado to California.  He is a well-loved "Uncle Willie" to a large group (35) of nieces and nephews.

William is survived by his brother, Earl (Carol Gaye) McDaniel of Gridley, CA.

Graveside services will be held in the Sanford Colorado Cemetery at 12:00 pm on Monday July 18, 2022.  Family and friends may attend a viewing from 10:00 - 11:00 am in the Rogers Family Mortuary, 205 State Avenue, Alamosa, CO prior to the graveside. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com A memorial service for family and friends will be held Friday, July 22, 2022 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Olpin Family Mortuary Chapel, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, UT. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com and www.rogersfunerals.com.