Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Backus, William C.

William C. “Bill” Backus, 58, of Clovis, died Wednesday, June 28, 2006, at his home after a brief battle with cancer.

Born June 3, 1948, to Robert and Gertrude Hoyer Backus in Manitowoc, Wis., he married Nell Van Putten on July 12, 1968, in Amersfoord, Netherlands. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc and was a 1993 graduate of Clovis Community College. He served 27 years as a medical services technician in the U.S. Air Force and was employed as a Radiology Technician at Plains Regional Medical Center. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Family members said he was an avid NASCAR and Green Bay Packers fan. He loved spending time with his family at the cove at Ute Lake and Sunday barbecues, according to his family.

He was preceded in death by his father, who died in 2001.

Survivors include his wife, of Clovis; three daughters, Trudy Cole (and husband, Jody), Becky Dlouhy (Mike) and Natasha Flowers (David), all of Clovis; his mother, Gertrude Backus of Manitowoc, Wis .; seven brothers, Don Backus, Tom Backus, Tony Backus, Jerry Backus, Dick Backus, Chuck Backus and Lee Backus, all of Manitowoc; three sisters, Diane Wagoner, Carol Christianson and Cheryl Terp, all of Manitowoc; and eight grandchildren, Chantal Flowers, Drew Cole, Baylee Dlouhy, Logan Cole, Cydnie Flowers, Kileigh Dlouhy, Lexi Cole and Casity Flowers.

A rosary will be said for him at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Father Carlos Chavez will officiate.

Burial will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in Clovis with full Military honors provided by the Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard.

The family will be at 925 Curran Dr. in Clovis.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home.