William James Backer was born on August 11, 1961, to parents Julia and Jerry Backer in West Union, Iowa.  After graduating from Marshall High School in Marshall, MN, he went on to earn his bachelor's degree in biology from Southwest Minnesota State University, and a master's degree in entomology from Western Michigan University.

In 1992, Bill made his way to the mountains of Colorado, where he accepted a position at the Vista Verde guest ranch near Steamboat Springs.  This led to 30-plus-year career at the ranch, most recently as Properties Manager.  At the ranch, Bill built and fixed things, pushed lots of snow, made pine log furniture for the guest cabins, and dispensed free advice - some of which was good! Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and restoring old pickup trucks.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and is survived by brothers Mike (Marla), St. Paul, MN; David (Leigh Ann), Prairie Village, KS; and Corey (Mary), Lawrence, KS; nieces Sage, Kaia, Ava, and Eleanore, nephew Wyatt; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, and many friends and associates in Routt County.

Bill lost a short battle with cancer on December 12, 2023.   A conservationist and ecologist at heart, his remains will be cremated and returned to the circle of life.  A memorial gathering to celebrate Bill's life will be planned for next spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Colorado chapter of the Nature Conservancy or to your organization of choice.