Billy Sallee Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Billy Sallee (Grand Junction, Colorado), born in Macomb, Illinois, who passed away on June 20, 2023, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Billy Sallee to pay them a last tribute.
Grand Junction, Colorado. William (Billy) Sallee, 66, passed away on June 20, 2023. Billy was born and raised in Macomb, Illinois and grew up working in the sawdust of his father’s lumber yard. After graduating high school and attending college, he moved from Macomb to Bloomington, IL, to work with his brother Lynn in the construction trades. After a time, he followed a sweet lady to Colorado in the late 1970’s and although they split, he found his true love – construction work in the Rocky Mountains.
Billy never could shake the sawdust and worked for Shaw Construction for the past 32 years as Construction Job Site Superintendent primarily in Colorado and Wyoming. He delivered top quality work every time and on every project and also mentored many a fellow worker over the years.
Billy’s greatest passion was being a volunteer firefighter - both in Illinois and Colorado. His passion grew to include planning and performing fireworks shows. He was a proud member for many years, as well as the former Fireworks “Head Pyro”, of the Telluride Volunteer Fire Department. Billy played a critical role in modernizing the fireworks display process in Telluride where he was dedicated to the safety of the men and women who shoot fireworks.
Any person that met Billy would remember him as a gentleman who was always willing to help and “the guy with the big smile”.
Billy was predeceased by his parents and is survived by brothers Lynn (Linda) of Berlin, MA; Mike (Barb) of Bloomington, IL, [Mike passed on July 22, 2023]; Jim of Maui, HI; nine nieces and nephews; and 17 great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life event will be held on July 2, 2024 in Telluride, CO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Telluride Volunteer Fire Department, Billy Sallee memorial, PO Box 1602, Telluride, CO 81435.
