Bill Jewitt, longtime local, died Oct. 25

Bill Jewitt, longtime local and restaurant owner, died Oct. 25. He was 59.

After graduating in 1964 from high school in Petosky, Mich., and lettering in football, golf and skiing, he briefly attended college before enlisting in the military. He served in Army Intelligence, G2, in Japan and Vietnam. After receiving an honorable discharge, he attended Michigan State University, graduating with a degree in political science.

Bill came to Vail in 1975 after working in Denver in the food and wine business. He stopped at Calhoun’s, which was the predecessor to Bart & Yeti’s, had a burger, was hired as a cook, and never left — working his way to partnership and general manager.

He had a great love for cars and when recently taking a friend for a ride in his new Porsche, he said “This is what flipping burgers for 32 years gets you.”

An avid reader, he is best remembered by those who knew him in the old days for his love of smoking cigarettes and drinking Grand Marnier, even as he stirred the chili at Bart’s. As he grew older and more sensible, he became very involved with another of his love — politics, a love that started early as a member of the Young Republicans in high school.

His first foray led him to the Lionshead Merchants Association and then to a board seat with Vail Community Chamber. From there he served on the Vail Chamber & Business Association board, as chairman of the Commission on Special Events, the Vail Town Council, and most recently as chairman of the Planning and Environmental Commission.

It was a very sad day all around when Bill decided he had to leave Vail due to complications from a rare blood disorder that made living at high altitude difficult. But he was here for Vail’s 45th reunion and laughed about how nice it was for everyone to come back for his going-away party.

In the face of it all, he was looking forward to spending more time on another passion — golf. He bought a house outside of Tampa and joined a golf club. Unfortunately, en route to his new home he became ill and was hospitalized and died in Baton Rouge, La.

Bill leaves behind three sisters: Susan Carl in Michigan, Pat Dennis in Mississippi and Nancy Till in Florida.

Besides his remaining relatives, his loss is felt greatly by those who knew and loved him over the last 32 years. Among those are the staff at Bart & Yeti’s, his partners Ross Davis, Bob Isom and Dennis Foley, his longtime friend, Kaye Ferry, and his dog, Woodrow, with whom he enjoyed many long hikes.

Per Bill’s wishes, a military funeral at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver is being planned for some time in the near future.

In the meantime, on Nov. 13, there will be a memorial service at the Vail Interfaith Chapel at 4 p.m. followed by a get-together at Bart & Yeti’s from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All of Bill’s friends are invited to attend to share their favorite stories and toast a loyal friend.