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Dr. William ‘Bill’ Wesson

The Aspen Times
Aspen, CO Colorado

Local dentist Dr. William “Bill” Wesson passed away on Oct. 20, 2011 after a courageous encounter with cancer.

Bill was born in Los Angeles, the son of Lillian Schwerin Wesson and Frederick Wesson. As a boy, he was active in Scouting and advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from USC and, compliments of the U.S. Army, obtained his degree in dentistry, also at USC.

It was while stationed in Germany as a captain in the U.S. Army that Bill nurtured his love for skiing. Bill practiced dentistry in Los Angeles for several years before setting up practice in Aspen in 1969.



Bill loved music all his life. He sang, played the piano and banjo, and performed on the bass harmonica with a group called the “Harmonicats” in high school. In college, Bill belonged to an accomplished singing group that performed at the Hollywood Bowl, and in Aspen, he rarely missed a performance of the local Christmas “Messiah.”

Bill loved flying and was an accomplished pilot. He also loved camping, traveling, “bare boat” sailing, rock scrambling and exploring slot canyons at Lake Powell, skiing, chocolate ice cream, and especially his dog, Alfie.




But most of all, Dr. Bill Wesson had a passion for his work. He was the quintessential dentist. His patients loved him and his staff did, too, considering him a great boss – even-keeled, positive, capable, generous. Bill improved the teeth – and the lives – of thousands of people, generation by generation, for 42 years.

Bill had dignity and a great sense of self. A conversation with Bill was informative and inspiring. He had non-traditional views, insightful perceptions, a kind and humanitarian spirit, and was a perennial spiritual seeker. He leaves us with the playful intelligence of those beautiful blue eyes and that impish grin.

Bill is survived by three cousins: DegeDonati of Santa Barbara, Maggie Mulcahy of Newark, Calif., and Robert Ball of Cottage Grove, Ore.

Gratitude goes out to the volunteers from Friends for Life and also to Hospice of the Valley for their compassionate, professional consideration.

Everyone is invited to share a potluck dish and stories on Nov. 19 from 6-9 p.m. at the Mountain Chalet. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Alpine Bank in Basalt (Bill Wesson Memorial Fund).