William Bill"" George Claesgens

William "Bill" Claesgens, 76, of Cedar Hill, passed away at his home Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, after a valiant battle with cancer. He was surrounded and supported by family and loved ones as he began his new journey. Bill was born in Utica, N.Y., and later moved to Oakland, Calif., where he met and married his bride, Sandy, in January 1961. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during the Korean conflict, first on the U.S.S. Williamsburg, then transferring to the Seabees. He worked as a truck driver and retired from the Teamsters prior to moving to Cedar Hill in 1993. Bill was very involved in a recovery fellowship and was blessed to have celebrated 38 years of sobriety. Bill wasn't content to settle into easy retirement so he became a teacher in the Aztec school district, spending most of his time at Vista Nueva High School where he was known as "Mr. C." He was a firm believer in giving away the blessings he had received and traveled often to Mohave, Ariz., where he organized and nurtured a recovery program directed to his Native American friends. He also was involved in bringing the concepts of recovery into the detention center in Ignacio. Bill was unable to walk down any street in any town without running into old friends, and was constantly making new ones because of his kind spirit breaking through the tough veneer that he futilely tried to exhibit. He never missed a chance to ride his motorcycle and was ready for a road trip with only the slimmest of excuses. He was far more at home on two wheels than four. His father, George Edward Claesgens, and his mother, Loretta Mills Claesgens, preceded him in death. Bill is survived by Sandy, his devoted wife of 47 years, and by his adoring daughter, Lori Monian, and her husband, Jeff, who Bill loved as his own son. Also left behind are uncountable friends, who came to depend on him for his counsel and honest compassion. Motorcycles and jeans welcome. Pallbearers are Jeff Monian, James Finch, Gary Pacheco, Jim Hornbeck, Lorenzo Hogue and Guy Shephard. Honorary pallbearers are Dave Barr, Harley Monian, Curtis Owen, Stoney Atencio and Jim Williams. In lieu of flowers, Bill has asked that donations be made to The Well, Inc., a non-profit recovery club, 309 W. Animas, Farmington, NM 87401. Arrangements have been made by Bill's family and friends. For information, call Dan, (505) 402-1000 or Guy, (505) 215-3694. Bill is in the care of Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home
103 East Ute St
Farmington, NM(505) 325-8688.