William "bill" DEAN Obituary (1917 - 2010)

William (Bill) Louis DeanWilliam Louis Dean passed away November 1, 2010 at Havasu Regional Medical Center in Lake Havasu City at the age of 93. He was born August 4, 1917 to Louis and Harriet(Cauthern) Dean in Duncan, AZ. Bill had a long and interesting life. He enjoyed growing up on a ranch and always had a little bit of cowboy in him. While still in high school, he operated a motel for his wife-to-be's family. After high school he received a football scholarship to college at Flagstaff which was abruptly ended with a broken leg in his first season. After that he married Katherine and went to work for Phelps Dodge in Morenci for a while. Later on he operated a little store near Green Valley. Bill served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was on a troupe ship heading to Japan when the Atom Bomb was dropped. With the war ending he was sent to the Philippines to be an instructor. However, most of his working life was for Hughes Aircraft as head of Configuration Management at the Tucson Missile Systems Group.After retiring he enjoyed developing land around Duncan, AZ, and then, after moving to Lake Havasu City, in later years traveling around the U.S. and Alaska with his companion, Jeanie Miller.Bill was Past Master of Duncan Lodge No. 21, F & AM, and together with his late wife of 65 years, Katherine, belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge.In addition to his wife, Katherine, he was also predeceased by his brother, Carroll. He is survived by his loving companion, Jeanie Miller; his daughter, Barbara Smith and her husband, Harold, of Lake Havasu City; brother Edwin Dean (Elsie) of Silver City, NM; granddaughter Pamela Kidd (Mike) of Oceanside, CA; two great grandsons, Travis and Taylor Scheunemann, and many nieces and nephews.A memorial celebration of his life will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, Nov 22, 2010 at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory, with a reception to follow at 160 Aspen in Lake Havasu City. All are invited to come and share their remembrances of Bill. Masonic Services are pending in Safford, AZ.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Home, 615 E. Adams St., Tucson, AZ 85705.Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.