Bill Rousseau
December 24, 2009
Bill was born September 16, 1920 in Phoenix and passed away peacefully December 21 at his home on West McDowell Road.
Bill was a third generation Phoenician and was very proud of his heritage here in the Valley. He attended Cartwright Elementary School and Phoenix Union High School. He tried Phoenix College but his love of the cattle business proved stronger than his desire for higher education.
Bill enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the outbreak of World War II and served his country for the duration of the war. He farmed and fed cattle his whole life and loved his craft at which he excelled. He was an excellent horseman and could work cattle on foot or horseback alongside the best cowboys.
Bill served his community on the Fowler Elementary School District Board and he served his industry as a member of the Livestock Production Credit Association board for many years. His service on the Salt River Project Council and subsequently Board of Directors was closest to his heart. His passion for SRP came naturally from his love of the land and the miracle that water brought forth from it. His grandfather L.D. Rousseau was on the original SRP Board and Bill’s son David is the current Vice President of the SRP Board.
Bill’s life spanned an amazing transformation of our country and his beloved Salt River Valley. He frequently rode his horse to Cartwright School and herded cattle all over the Valley on horseback, grazing the fertile fields that have now become Phoenix and Glendale. He and his family enjoyed prosperity to see it almost disappear during the Great Depression, but through hard work and sacrifice saw prosperity return. His service in the Army, his time on the PCA and SRP Boards, and a lifetime in the cattle business, which was full of characters, generated a multitude of anecdotes and stories which he loved to share with his many friends and family. His wife, Isabell, loved to entertain and they enjoyed a rich social life with their friends, sharing trips and playing tennis, which for Bill was an entree to visiting and telling his many stories.
Bill held sacred his family, first the memory and heritage of his forebears and their sacrifices for the betterment of his family, then his own wife and three sons. He has a well deserved reputation for being thrifty, but he was astonishingly generous with their sons and their children, not only financially, but with unqualified love and encouragement. His marriage to Isabell was the uniting of two strong-willed people and while they didn’t always see eye to eye, they were devoted to each other and shared a passionate and remarkable 53 years by each others’ side.
Bill is survived by Isabell; his sons Will (Leslie), Clyde, and David (Diane); grandchildren Kristin (Aaron), Lindsey (Brett), Jenna, Darby, Rankin, and Ryan; and great grandchildren Isabel and Clara. A private graveside service will be held. The family suggests a contribution to the Salvation Army.
Elizabeth Helen Wightman
December 16, 2009
Elizabeth Helen “Betty” Wightman
Betty was 92 years old when she passed away on December 9, 2009 after a short illness.
She was born September 30, 1917 in St. Paul, MN, to James Frank and Irene Horn. The family of five that included her brother Berrisford and sister Marjorie, moved to Minneapolis in 1921. In 1940 she married Dixon B. Wightman of Iroquis, SD. Her husband Dixon B. preceded her in death on December 28, 2003, she was also preceded by son Thomas Jon in 1985.
She is survived by son Dixon J. Wightman (Konnie) of Mandan, ND and daughter Janet E. Jorgensen (Cindy Phillips) of Fargo, ND. She has three grandchildren, Susan Marie Eichhorn (Darby) of Fargo, ND, Mary Ann Bradley of Dublin, OH and Thomas Jon Wightman of Darien, WI; step-grandchildren Kim Melillo of North Brunswick, NJ, Colin Klipel of Shakopee, MN and Toby Klipel of Bismarck, ND and 7 great grandchildren.
Betty completed nurse’s training at St. Barnabas Hospital in Minneapolis, MN and the University of Minnesota receiving her RN in 1940.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at All Saints of the Desert Episcopal Church, 9502 W. Hutton Dr., Sun City, AZ 85351. She will be interred at the All Saints of the Desert Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church.
Donald Ray Robl
December 15, 2009
Don Robl 72, of Glendale, AZ passed away December 12, 2009. Don was born in Phoenix, AZ. He served in the US Navy and worked for many years for Salt River Project. He was a life long active member of the Indy Racing League. He is survived by his wife Emma Lee, Children Howard Robl(Marianne), Terre Houghton (Virgil), Jay Arnold (Amy) Janice Remmers (Keith), Nancy Benge (John), and Wade Arnold. Sister Bobbie Durham (Wilford), 10 grandchildren and many loving great grandchildren. Funeral Service will be 2:00 P.M. Friday 12-18-2009 at Menke Funeral Home 12420 N. 103rd Ave. Sun City. Visitation will be l hour prior to the Service. Contributions suggested to a favorite charity.
George Neal Wensauer
December 15, 2009
Wensauer, George N.
76, loving husband and father passed away 12/11/09. Born in Calumet, OK on 1/26/1933, he moved to Arizona in 1959, marrying wife of 50 years Pearl. Other survivors include daughters Maria Wensauer, Pat Wensauer Olson; 5 grandchildren, Tehya, Shannon, Curtis, Brandon & Lorissa; great grandson Cannon Wensauer; brother Blaine and sister Vivian. George was known for his hardwork, genuine concern of always wanting to help out others and well known for his humor to his many friends and family. He will be greatly missed! We Love You Boogie. Memorial services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, 12/17/09 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, 12/18/09 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, Arizona.
Calvin Dee Dotson
December 2, 2009
Dotson, Calvin Dee
On Friday, November 27, 2009, Calvin passed away at the young age of 61, after a long and courageous battle with liver disease.
Born 11-8-48, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he was the second oldest of seven children born to Houston and Mary Ann (Hornsby) Dotson. Calvin is survived by his two sisters, Susan Dotson and Peggy (Dotson) Al-Nassar, two daughters; Jessica Metz and Jennifer O’Connell, and four grandchildren; Nicolas and Maya Metz, Diego Miranda, and Liam Bonilla. Calvin’s father, mother, three brothers (Danny, Houston, Paul) and one sister (Kathy), precedes him in death.
Calvin attended Kenilworth Elementary School, West High School, Phoenix College and the University of Phoenix, graduating with a degree in computer science. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran, serving during the Tet Offensive. He was a soldier at heart and a jack of many trades including a skilled brick mason which he revered as an art. He was most recently employed at the Phoenix VA Hospital as a Data Base Manager. He will be greatly missed by his co-workers, family and friends, who will always remember his adventurous spirit, love of travel and the open road and most of all his deep and abiding loyalty to all of his fellow veterans.
A visitation will be held at Menke Funeral Home (12420 North 103rd Avenue, Sun City, AZ) on Friday, December 4th at 11:30am. A procession to follow to graveside services which will be held at 1:30pm at (23029 North Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ). In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 432 (PO Box 40173. Phoenix, AZ).