Sept. 4, 1971 - June 10, 2012,
On Sunday, June 10, 2012, William Billy Royal Tufts II was following his passions in life, in the forest, outside of Bend, Oregon, running a mountain trail with Staci Carsten, his fiance, when
his soul was released from his Earthly body to roam unfettered. His friends and family will always find Billy around them everywhere, but especially in the suns rays as they bound off a snow packed mountainside or while watching a brook trout dancing through a pristine stream. We will look for him in all things naturally beautiful and good.
Born on September 4, 1971, Billy was an outdoorsman from the time he was old enough to walk.
He loved the lakes, fishing and hunting. He would play endlessly with his brother, Robby, and his sister, Lisa, following his lead. As Billy grew he began cycling and rock climbing, and anything in nature as long as he was outside exploring and discovering.
During high school, he earned a position on the U.S. Junior Olympics Soccer Team and competed in Europe. He graduated with honors from Mayfield High School and enrolled in New Mexico State University spending the next five years expanding his horizons through education, travel, sports and friends.
He enjoyed traveling and going to new places, working in the summers as a fisherman in Alaska, and ranch hand in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. To the wonder of his family he and his buddy, Glenn Griffiths, spent the fall into winter camping out in Moose, Wyoming.
After his adventures, he returned to NMSU to complete a Bachelors of Science in biology with a minor in chemistry.
Bend is the true home for Billy. Disciplined and driven, he was constantly outdoors snowboarding, skiing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, and fishing. Billy was an amazing friend who was infinitely generous with his time; he was always ready to lend a hand.
Possibly his best personality trait was his ability to relate to others and instantly give the feeling that he was an old friend one knew forever. Over the years he worked at J Bar J, Mt. Bachelor, Sunriver Sports and recently he had accepted a position with DESCO in South Texas traveling as a Biological Technician.
Billy left behind a large family to celebrate his remarkable life, including, his fiance, Staci Carsten; his mother and step father, Jeanne and Reed Lowell of Deming, NM; his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. William Royal Tufts I, of Las Cruces, NM; his sisters, Julie Tufts, of Ft. Worth, TX, and Elizabeth and her husband, Chris Nordquist; together with their children, Wesley, Jessika, and Rebecca of Castle Rock, CO; his brother, Robert Tufts of Las Cruces; together withhis children, Kieran and Kiana; a great-niece, Leah Nordquist; his numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. His family also includes many, many friends along his trail of life.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life at Widgi Creek, Saturday, June, 16, from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Please bring your favorite dish to share.
Baird Funeral Home, is in charge of the arrangements.
Billy Tufts
