Bill Rousseau

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.