John William (Bill) Samples, 81, longtime Morgan County resident, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush. He was born March 30, 1930, on the family farm north of Snyder to Conrad & Caroline Samples. In 1943 the Samples family moved to Denver. Bill graduated from South High School in 1948. He received his associate degree from Denver University in 1950. On May 11, 1951, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Betty Mae Morris at the Grand Avenue Methodist Church in Denver. Bill served in the US Navy Reserve for 8 years. He worked for Schwayder Brothers for several years making Samsonite luggage. In 1956 the Samples family moved back to the family farm, where he and his brother, Bob, farmed and had a dairy until 1965. He then began working as secretary of the Bijou Irrigation Company and District, for 28 years before retiring. He was a member of the Morgan County Moose Lodge #1857, and the American Legion Sagebrush Post #68. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, traveling in his motor- home, but his greatest love was spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife of over 60 years, Betty, of Brush; 4 sons, and their wives, Ronald and Kathy, John and Nancy, Dave and Lisa, all of Brush and Douglas and Pat of Windsor, CO; 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Bob, and his parents. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM at the All Saints Lutheran Church at Eben Ezer. The service will conclude at the church. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies c/o Heer & Dahl Mortuary.