Obituary: William “Bill” Yeik

May 15, 1945 – January 1, 2026 
William “Bill” Yeik, age 80, passed away on January 1, 2026, surrounded by loved ones in in Eagle, CO.
Born in Laramie, Wyoming, Bill grew up on a homesteaded cattle ranch with his five siblings in Yoder, Wyoming where he developed a lifelong work ethic, deep respect for the land and nature, and an early love for machinery. He played basketball, winning a state title (1962), and graduated from Yoder High School. He attended the University of Wyoming, earning a degree in civil engineering, while also pursuing music—serving as lead guitarist and singer in a band during his college years.
Drawn to the mountains of Colorado, Bill moved to Vail in 1969, working as both a ski patroller and ski instructor in the early years of Vail Mountain. Here he built relationships that would span decades in the close-knit community of the Vail Valley, skiing with these friends well into his 70’s. In 1980 Beaver Creek Mountain opened, where he played a key role as an engineer in designing and cutting the new Beaver Creek ski resorts iconic trails, working closely with JC Clarke and Pete Seibert. He spent many winters with family and friends enjoying the runs that he helped construct.
Never one to shy away from hard work, Bill purchased a backhoe in the late 1970’s and founded his own excavation company in the Vail Valley, WY Construction. A business he ran for the next 40+ years. He wintered logged, bought his own sawmill and ultimately built his family’s log home by hand, a reflection of his independence, craftsmanship in construction, and hardworking nature. He married Norma M. Matz in 1980 in Avon, CO after meeting while both were working and ski-bumming in Vail.
An avid outdoorsman, kayaker, boatman, and skier, Bill lived fully and adventurously. Even into his fifties, he could be found ripping it up in his speedos waterskiing and air-chairing at Lake Powell or navigating his boat along the Intracoastal Waterway with his family. Many will remember him for creating lasting memories rooted in adventurous stories (motorcycles in South America, skiing in Australia, powder days in the back bowls), comical happenings (the boat Skidder, removing heavy equipment out bodies of water), and just as a generous good-hearted man. Later in life, in his 70’s, he took up single-track mountain biking, continuing his active and adventurous lifestyle.
Above all, Bill loved what he did. He had an enduring passion for excavation, heavy equipment and diesel mechanics (everything needs a diesel engine), and he deeply valued the friendships he formed through construction and his work—bonds built on trust, grit, and shared purpose.
William Yeik was preceded in death by his parents William (Bill) and Eileen Yeik.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Norma, daughters Brandie Martin (Eagle, CO), Megan Stiffney (Chris Stiffney, of Ten Sleep, Wy), Grandchildren Porter Stiffney, Tristan Martin and Tessa Martin, who will carry forward his legacy of hard-work and love for the outdoors; his siblings Beth (Brad) Thompson, Bruce (Marylou) Yeik, Boyd (Cheryl) Yeik, Bryon (Deb) Yeik, Brent (Patty) Yeik, his sister-in-law Melissa Gekas, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, January 25 from 1pm-3pm, at the Brush Creek Pavilion in Eagle, CO. Please join us in celebrating his extraordinary life.