William "Bill" Clay Bottoms, Jr.

 William (“Bill”) Clay Bottoms, Jr., 78, of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away on July 20th, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, to William Clay Bottoms and Elizabeth Walker Bottoms, he was a graduate of Henry Grady High School in 1964 and the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1968, where he earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He earned his master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix in 2004. Always fascinated by airplanes, Bill started his airline executive career at McDonnell Douglas before moving on to Southern Airways, then Texas International Airlines, and becoming a founding officer of New York Air and president of Rocky Mountain Airways. He moved to the proprietary school industry and was president of Colorado Aero Tech and the Colorado Institute of Art. He was also one of the founding members of Team SAI, an airline consulting company. 

 Upon retirement, Bill focused his energy on travel, being with his family, and committing himself to his community. Bill became a passionate volunteer of Project Angel Heart, dedicating 11 years of service and was a part of their Funds Development Committee. He was also heavily involved in Jefferson County School District, Jefferson County Open Space, and the Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society, particularly at the Hiwan Museum.

 Bill is survived by his children, Janet Brock (Mike), Sharon Madden (Craig) and William (“Will”) Clay Bottoms, III. Also, by four grandchildren, Wesley Brock (Kelly), Sarah Brock, Malina Madden and Case Madden, as well as three great-grandchildren, two nieces and three great-nieces. 

 Services will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Red Rocks Baptist Church in the Fireside Chapel. The viewing will be at 10:00am with a service at 11:00am. Afterward, he will be buried at Evergreen Memorial Park, with a graveside service.

 In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Project Angel Heart, to which Bill dedicated much of his later life.

Link for Donations: https://www.projectangelheart.org/ways-to-give/