William "Bill" Stark

William A. “Bill” Stark Bill Stark, 79, left this world to join his bride in heaven on May 8, 2016. He was born September 1, 1936 in Douglas, Arizona. The youngest of 4 siblings and only son of Harold K. and Susan T. Stark. Bill lived his early life on the family’s Bar Z Bar Ranch in Elfrida, Arizona where he learned his love of cattle and horses that would serve him his entire life. Bill lived and worked on numerous ranches throughout southern Arizona and New Mexico; the Stick Ranch, KW Ranch, 26 Bar Ranch, and Rainbows End Ranch to name a few. He culminated his ranching career at the Dusty A7 in the San Pedro Valley. Bill retired from the City of Willcox in 2006. Bill married the love of his life, Pat, on October 14, 1967 and they were together for 43 years, only separated by her passing in 2010. Together they raised three unruly boys, Mike, Andy and Owen whom they both loved deeply….when they weren’t devising ways to quietly strangle one of them! Bill and Pat both loved to dance and when the fiddles were tuned, you could count on them to take a turn around the floor, both being very accomplished dancers. Upon graduation from high school in 1955, having been one of the first students to populate the new Valley Union High School in Elfrida, Bill attended college at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff for a short period before returning to the family ranch to help out. He then served an enlistment in the US Army for two years, stationed at Ft Benning, Georgia. Bill tried his hand as a saddle maker in the early 1970’s, he and Pat having purchased the Thomas Saddle Shop from Wilburn Thomas in Willcox. Working under Wilburn’s tutelage, he learned the fine art of saddle making, producing his own saddle as his first test, a saddle he rode the rest of his life. Bill was a member of the Willcox Sheriff’s Posse during this period and enjoyed Tuesday night ropings during the summer. As someone who grew up in wide open spaces, Bill soon felt the pull of cattle and branding smoke, shed the confines of the saddle shop, and returned to ranching as a means to provide for his family. Bill’s true passions in life were his family, friends, horses and cattle. Nothing made him happier than to spend a day in the saddle checking cattle and fences on a good horse. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Pat, his sister Susan Rutherford and her husband Benny, niece Lisa Thomas and her father Carl Thomas. He is survived by his sons, Mike, Andy and grandson Eston of Willcox, son Owen of Costa Mesa, CA. Sisters Ann (Sam) Place of Sierra Vista and Eunice Thomas of Phoenix. Nieces Susan, Cynthia, Christy, Sally, and Catherine. Nephews Mike, Ben, Eddie, Greg, Patrick and Tom as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews. His many cousins in New Mexico and California that are deeply saddened by his passing. Services will be held at the Willcox Elks Lodge on Friday June 17, 2016 at 2pm. At his request, Bill’s ashes will be spread in the Riggs Settlement area. Services entrusted to Westlawn Chapel, Mortuary and Crematory of Willcox. You may express condolences at www.westlawnchapelmortuary.com

William "Bill" Stark

September 1, 1936 - May 8, 2016