Billy Homer McCoy, passed away February 3, 2008 at Flagstaff Medical Center. He was born 81 years ago in Stith, Texas to Willie Ruth Ellington and Thermon Emmett McCoy. He grew up in Texas and Arizona where he attended school in Isaac Jr. High and North High School. There he participated in football and excelled at academics. He left school to join the Navy when he was 15 years old. After service a short stint, he was discharge from the Navy. He later served time in the Marines during WWII. He was injured while serving in Okinawa and was returned to civilian life after his honorable discharge. Soon after, he met Rita Colleen Odell in Phoenix and they were married February 22, 1948. They have spent the last 61 years together. To their union came five children, Kenneth Wayne (Andrea) McCoy of Phoenix, AZ, Judith Colleen (Charles) Owens of American Fork, UT, William Todd (Cheryl) McCoy of Gilbert, AZ, Thurman Mark (Susan McCoy of Sandy, UT, and Tracy Odell (Margaret) McCoy of Farmington, UT. They also have 24 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Bill worked for Seiberling Rubber Company in Phoenix for 20 years. He then changed occupations and became an ammunition inspector for the army as a civilian employee. In that capacity, he and Rita were able to live in Okinawa, Panama Germany, Utah and Arizona. Bill also served a year in Korea. They enjoyed their time in these countries, getting to know the people and learning about the cultures. They later retired to Flagstaff.

Bill was an avid card player and especially enjoyed playing bridge with his friends at the Senior Center. He loved playing the lottery and along with his buddies shared a $250,000 prize. He was an extremely generous man and was always helping out one person or another in whatever they needed. He also loved solving crossword puzzles and spent every morning completing one before he went out to complete his daily tasks. He loved his country and his family.

He was very active until the end. He met his demise from complications of a bicycle accident on Saturday, January 31, 2009. He went down doing what he loved to do. He could often be seen riding his bike around town running his many errands. He also loved to go on early morning walks.

There will be a memorial service on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 10:30 in the LDS Chapel, 2401 Linda Vista DR. Flagstaff, AZ.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the LDS Perpetual Education fund for underprivileged students in third world countries are appreciated.