Floyd R. Bethel |
| Posted 2009-05-06 by Eastern Arizona Courier |
| BETHEL, Floyd R. Bethel Lifelong Cochise county resident 70-year-old Floyd R. Bethel died on the evening of April 8, 2009, in Tucson. He was born in Bisbee, and at the age of 4, moved to Willcox. During his school years, he worked at the Willcox Hospital, Willcox Post Office and Austin Drug Store, and participated in football, basketball and band. He graduated from Willcox High School in 1957 and began his career as a mechanic and tow truck operator at his father’s Texaco Station. Floyd served in the 158th Infantry Regimental Combat Team of the Arizona National Guard for 10 years and was also a member of the Willcox Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He married Laura Anne Hestand at the Willcox Methodist Church on June 7, 1959. As a hard-working man he finally realized his dream of being self-employed and at one time operated three Texaco stations and owned and operated Willcox Wrecking Yard and Repair Shop. His trademark was his big yellow tow truck. He was active in many organizational and church affiliations, including as a DeMolay member, 50-year charter member and PER of BPOE #2131, 49-year member and PM of Willcox Lodge #10 F&AM, PWP of Harmony #11 OES and a member of the Bobby Sox softball board. Floyd was also a United Methodist youth counselor and a longtime Rainbow Dad. In this capacity he touched upon the lives of many youths, who remained in touch throughout their adult life. He was also an avid hunter and loved being outdoors, spending countless hours gardening. Floyd was a wonderful husband, tremendous father and loyal friend, whose generous nature, sense of humor and tremendous talent and spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Floyd is survived by his wife, Laura Anne; daughters, Peggy Sue Kyselka (Kyle) of Gilbert, Melissa Duso (Dennis) of Marysville, Mich., and Sharma Leach (Nick) of Willcox; grandchildren, Seth, Lars, Hans and Sven Kyselka; Joseph, Breanna and Stephanie Duso; Brandon and Dwaine Leach; brothers, Howard D. Bethel (Gwen) and Lester F. Bethel Jr. (Judy) of Willcox; and many nieces, nephews and other family members. He was preceded in death by his 14-year-old granddaughter, Christina Leach (Oct. 17, 2008); parents, Lester F. “Peck” and Margret F. “Peggy” Bethel; brother, Jerald (Jerry) Andrew; and his in-laws, Hallam and Martha Sue Hestand. An 11 o'clock toast will be held at 9 p.m. at the Willcox Elks Lodge on Friday, May 1. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 2, at the United Methodist Church in Willcox at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to: WPS Charitable Trust-Christina Leach Memorial Nursing Scholarship: (in memory of Floyd Bethel). Mail to: WPS Charitable Trust P.O. Box 476, Willcox, AZ 85644,or simply remember him by doing a good deed for a fellow man. Arrangements are entrusted to Westlawn Chapel, Mortuary and Crematorium of Willcox. Published in the Eastern Arizona Courier Sunday, April 26, 2009. |
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