Coy Yancey |
| Posted 2013-10-30 by Pat Wilson |
| Coy Yancey was born Jan. 4, 1925 in a railroad boxcar near Bear Creek, Alabama to George Thomas Yancey and Josie Pauline Birdyshaw Yancey. He was their 3rd son. His family hired out to farmers to work their fields. At age 18 he married Lillian Marie Hudson (age 15). They were married for over 50 years. Coy entered the Army and served during World War II. At about the time of his 20th birthday, he was captured and then escaped from the Germans. After the Army he joined the Army-Air Corps which later became the Air Force. He retired from the Air Force Jan 17, 1972 at the rank of Senior Master Sargent. While in the military he worked in electronics for airplanes. For many years he was an instructor for pilots and airman. After his military retirement he started working for the U.S. Post Office. He was a mail carrier out of the Sherwood South Post Office on Stapley in Mesa. He was and still is the only mail carrier in the history of Mesa that had a retirement party given him by the customers on his route. He retired on June 6,1988 after 14 years. Next stop for him was a bus stop. He drove a school bus for the Mesa School district for 10 years. Coy retired from driving when his wife, Lillian, became seriously ill. Coy has been active in the valley square dance community for many years. As a couple Coy and Lillian were members of the Sagebrush Squares and Cut-ups. Coy was the last remaining charter member of the Checkmates. After Lillian's death in 1993, he became active in the Valley Single Squares and the Grand Canyon State Square Dance Association. He was a past member of the National Square Dance Campers Association. Coy was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a 32nd degree Mason. He was also a member of the XYZ Sunday School class of Grace Community Church in Tempe. Coy is preceded in death by his parents (Tommy and Pauline), brothers L.B. and Guy, and his wife Lillian Marie Hudson Yancey. He is survived by daughters Carol (Ken) Dingee and di'Anne MacNeil of Mesa. Grand-daughters Jiri Erickson of Scottsdale and Lindsey MacNeil of Mesa. Sister Tomaline (Lee) Pope of Trion, Georgia, brother W.L. (Dorothy) Yancey of Havana, Florida. Also many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flowers St., Phoenix, Az 85014-5656. Visitation and services at Valley of the Sun Mortuary 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Chandler, AZ 85248. Graveside Services followed. Published in The Arizona Republic on 3/31/2006. |
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