William Oscar “Bill” Arnold
William Oscar “Bill” Arnold, age 80 of Goodyear, AZ, passed away October 23, 2018 after a long hard-fought battle with cancer. Bill was born in Buckeye, AZ on March 24, 1938 to Odis Lee and Lillie Mae Arnold, the ninth of twelve children. He served in the US Air Force and had a BA degree from Phoenix College. He worked for Smitty’s grocery store for 25 years as a systems manager. He served on the Goodyear City Council for eight years and he was elected Mayor of Goodyear for four terms and later as a representative in the Arizona State House of Representatives.
Bill is preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his three sons, Lynda, and siblings, Gentry, Cletis, Hazel, Frankie, Edna, Richard and Arlene. He is survived by his loving wife, JoAnn “Joey”; sons, Shaun (Heidi), Shane and Shannon (Carri); brothers, Clemie (Gerre), Kenny (Angie) and David (Edda); grandchildren, Seth, Alex, Nathan, Haley, Shane Michael, Ryan and Logan; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the PebbleCreek Community Eagle’s Nest Country Club Ballroom, 3645 Clubhouse Dr, Goodyear, AZ 85395. The family requests that donations be made in lieu of flowers to Kare Bears at PebbleCreek, The Lending Closet or Three Rivers Historical Society. Condolences for the family may be left at ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Thomas J. Fisher
Thomas J. Fisher, age 85, of Goodyear, AZ died October 18, 2018. Tom was born May 27, 1933 in Schenectady, NY to Joseph Fisher and Hendrika Oomsen. When he was ten years old, Tom and his mother moved from New York to Santa Barbara, CA. They lived in a beach hotel where his mother worked. He loved the beauty and freedom that came with living on the beach.
After graduation Tom joined the US Army. He was stationed in Panama, Columbia, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired after 21 years in the Army having achieved the rank of Major. After so much travel, Tom and his first wife were anxious to return home to Santa Barbara. He worked for a period of time with the Sheriff’s department and then began selling real estate. Grief touched his life when his wife of 30 years died of cancer.
Tom met his wife, Angela, from the neighborhood. They lived four houses from each other and he offered to assist her with handyman chores. They began to date and soon he found that his family had expanded to include a wife and her children and grandchildren. Tom was unconditionally loyal and accepting of everyone. He was so dedicated to his friends that they became like family to him. Above all he was devoted to Angela. He loved and took care of her in good times and difficult times, even gently caring for her while she recovered from surgery. They felt lucky to have each other.
Tom was one of a kind. He set high standards for himself and was unwavering in his beliefs. His strong personality lifted everyone around him to achieve more than they could have imagined. He enjoyed scuba diving, golf, coin collecting, history, reading and was an excellent bridge player. He was very active in the PebbleCreek community and was well known at the fitness center. Tom was adventurous and loved to travel. He and Angela traveled all over the world. Their favorite excursions were in Hawaii, Italy, Kenya and Ireland. They created a beautiful life together and are grateful that they didn’t wait to enjoy their life. As Tom would say, “Not too bad for an old guy.”
Tom is survived by his wife, Angela Fisher; daughter, Donna Pimm; sons, Daniel Pimm (Annette) and David Pimm (Debra); sister, Ann Fisher; brother, John Fisher; three grandchildren, Gina Hale (Michael), Nicole Kelley (Dan), Dustin Pimm (Lindsay); eight great-grandchildren; cousin, John Ward and loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Hendrika Oomsen and his father Joseph Fisher. The family suggests that donations be made to either Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT or St. Jude’s in Memphis, TN. Condolences for the family may be left at ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Billy Klackle
Billy Klackle, a long time PebbleCreek resident, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2018.
Billy was born April 17, 1930 in St. Joseph, Michigan to Mike and Sophie Klackle. Billy grew up along the beautiful banks of Lake Michigan. Notwithstanding the idyllic setting, WWII cast a shadow over everyday life. Though the war came to an end while Billy was in high school, the Berlin Blockade and Airlift occupied the headlines. As Billy approached high school graduation, recruiters convinced his father that allowing him to join the United States Air Force would prepare him for life. Consequently, Billy and his high school friends left Michigan for basic training in Biloxi, MS and then they went on to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX to become Air Force instructors for aircraft electrical systems.
Billy married his high school sweetheart, Mary-Jo McCullough, in 1950. When the Korean War broke out, he was sent to Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada. As shop chief for aircraft instruments and electrical systems, he worked on nine permanent planes that were equipped with skis in the winter and rubber wheels or pontoons in the summer. Though winters were brutal, with temperatures at 19 below zero and snow as deep as 19 feet, his planes shuttled equipment and building materials to Greenland where a new base was being built to protect against any Russian threats.
Billy’s next assignment was Strategic Air Command (SAC), Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. His responsibilities continued to increase with over 70 aircraft electricians now under his command. His additional duties included working on General Curtis LeMay’s personal aircraft. Billy and Mary-Jo were then transferred to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. In 1961, they were transferred to Guam where they experienced the worst typhoon in the island’s history. His last assignment took them to Castle Air Force Base in Merced, CA. Billy retired in 1968 having achieved the rank of Master Sergeant.
Billy worked for several years for United Airlines as an aircraft electrician at San Francisco International Airport. Later he worked for Xerox, overseeing copy machine repairmen for a large territory in California until he retired a second time. Once again, he came out of retirement and became an entrepreneur, owning several successful businesses in Atwater, Chico and San Francisco, CA. Billy finally decided to permanently retire and he and Mary-Jo moved to the PebbleCreek Community in Goodyear, AZ in 1997.
Billy was blessed with an ability to make those around him shine. His people-focus leadership style always brought out the best in his employees. He was devoted to Mary-Jo and would charm everyone when she entertained at their home. His grandchildren loved to come to visit and hangout with Grandpa Billy! He was an exceptional golfer and had a passion for the game. There was nothing he loved better than playing a foursome with his grandchildren.
Billy always had a positive outlook. He chose to be happy every day! He had a habit of whistling through pain. Whistling became more frequent as time moved forward. Nevertheless, his smile never wavered and his love and appreciation for his family was evident in all he did. Though the family will miss that whistle, they are grateful that he is free from pain and reunited with his beloved wife Mary-Jo of 67 years and his buddy Sugar Babe the Wonder Dog!
Billy is survived by his four sons, Mike, Scott, Kurt and Chris; daughter-in-laws, Candy, Laura, Joy and Lisa; ten grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and his sister-in law Sue Jahns.
A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Christ Presbyterian Church, 925 N. Sarival Avenue, Goodyear, AZ 85338. Condolences for the family may be left at ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Clark Morrell
Clark Morrell passed away October 15 after a brief illness. Clark was born on February 10, 1937 in Shenandoah, Iowa. His given name was Richard Clark Morrell however his friends knew him as Clark. He is survived by his wife, Chanca Morrell; son Dan Morrell and daughter Renee Winchell, brother Curt Morrell; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two nieces and a nephew. Clark was also very close to his stepsons Cory Crafton and Craig Crafton and their families and his mother-in-law Jo Ann Yealey. He was often seen driving Jo Ann around in a little red Fiat with the license plate JOZTAXI.
Clark spent 27 years working in law enforcement serving Nebraska, Illinois and Arizona. He later went into the insurance business which is how he met his wife Chanca. Clark and Chanca just celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. Clark’s hobbies and special interests were guns, photography and theater. He had a wonderful voice and crooned to many ladies at PebbleCreek karaoke with his Frank Sinatra and Perry Como favorites. He also participated in Showtime Productions; doing some duets with his wife Chanca but best known for his jokes and “red-neck” comedy with Showtime. Many of you will remember Clark for his sense of humor and always having a joke readily available to make you smile.
A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, November 3 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Litchfield Park, AZ. In lieu of flowers the family requested that donations go to the Kare Bears at PebbleCreek or St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Clark’s name.
“Clark was the love of my life and I miss him so much. I want to thank those of you that sent cards, phone calls, emails or stopped by to give me support; your thoughtfulness is so appreciated.” – Chanca