Obituary of William Robert Cavender

William “Bill” Robert Cavender passed away on March 16, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. He was 77 years old. 

Bill was born the oldest of seven children to Bob and Barbara (Ogilvie), in Denver, Colorado on January 26, 1947. As a young child, Bill’s family moved to Elko County where he attended the one-room schoolhouse in Ruby Valley before they moved to Reno for nearly three years.

In 1958, the family moved back to Denver where Bill graduated from Bishop Machebeuf High School in 1965. Later, he went on to graduate summa cum laude from the University of Colorado in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in business administration.

Bill served as an insurance broker for over 23 years with John Q. Ryan Agency/Insurance Management Services (IMS), headquartered in Elko and with offices across northern Nevada. His career ultimately led him to serve as the agency’s president and chairman of the board before moving on to a nine-year stint as the Chief Operating Officer for ISU Stetson Beemer in Reno.

Through the years, Bill enjoyed spending time with his children and watching sports, especially during their athletic careers. He had a knack for storytelling with a keen sense of humor, and his love for the outdoors, particularly the mountains, ran deep, whether it be camping, fishing, skeet shooting or boating. Bill was a founding member of the Elko chapter of Ducks Unlimited and he and his family spent many summers on the lake, their falls at the football field and their winters and springs in a basketball gym.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Barbara, and his brother Jeff.  He is survived by his daughter Katie Cavender of Irving, Texas; sons Jeff and Pete Cavender of Boise, Idaho; brothers Bob Cavender of Twin Falls, Idaho and Pete Cavender (Julie) of Reno, Nevada; sisters Linda Rodriguez (Joe) of Greeley, Colorado, Jan Smiley (Craig) of Loveland, Colorado and Tina Higley of Poway, California; and several nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held in Elko on Friday, March 29 for family and close friends.