William Vann (Bill) Cheek |
Posted 2017-12-11 by Judy Wight Branson |
The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, December 8, 2017, page 5a William Vann Cheek, Juris Doctor, 88, of Prescott, Arizona, died on Nov. 30, 2017. Bill was the son of William F. and Harriet Lee Cheek, and loving husband of Joella Wood Cheek for over 63 years. He is survived by Joella, one son, Marquand; and four daughters, Ann, Laura, Linda and Marie, all living in the western United States. He is also survived by eight loving grandchildren, Faye, Michael, Nicole, Tyler, Nathan, Lindsey, Kyle, Mason; and three precious great grandchildren, Elsa, Malin and Athena. Dr. Cheek was awarded the Bronze Star as a hero and veteran of the Korean War engaged in battles at Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir. He served his country proudly as a U.S. Marine from 1950-53. He went on to attend the University of Oregon. There, he met and married Joella in 1954. He was accepted into the Doctorate of Law Degree Program at the University of New Mexico, and earned his J.D. in 1957. Their first child was born in Albuquerque, at the same hospital where Bill was born 27 years earlier. Bill’s work career spanned over six decades. He had a passion for work and enjoyed many successful business and community relationships. He initially practiced law in Alamogordo, New Mexico for several years where three of his daughters were born. The family relocated to Eugene, Oregon where Bill worked as a legal counselor for a land and title company. Their fifth child was born in Eugene. In 1966, Dr. Cheek became Chief Legal Counsel on staff at Alaska Airlines in Seattle, Washington. He would subsequently become Vice President of two Regional airline carriers in California and Colorado before finally moving to Arizona to complete his career as a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Prescott from 1988-2009. During his time at ERAU he held a number of roles including Aviation Business Administrator (ABA) faculty, Department Chair-ABA, and Campus Grants Coordinator. He was an avid chef and often held themed dinners for many of his ERAU Campus colleagues. After retiring from Embry-Riddle, Dr. Cheek remained active in the military retirement community. He held positions as Commandant of the Department of Arizona Marine Corps League for two consecutive terms from 2006-2008, and as Commander of the Prescott Veterans of Foreign Wars #541, also for two terms, spanning 2011-2013. In addition to cooking, Bill’s hobbies included travel, wine and following the stock market. He was the life of the party wherever one was held. He was a story-teller and a jokester, but his legacy lies in his devotion to family, country, co-workers and friends. He made sure to attend all family events from graduations, to weddings and even to baby showers. He was the family patriarch and so well-loved for his leadership. He will be missed immensely. A memorial service honoring his life will be held after the holidays at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Davis Learning Center (DLC)-Bldg. #20, 3700 Willow Creek Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301, at 2 p.m. on 27 January, 2018. The final resting place for Dr. Cheek will be Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in support of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (https://www.mcsf.org/) or other similar charities. Information provided by survivors. |
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