ELMS, William Elmo (Bill)

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Thursday, January 23, 2003 William Elmo (Bill) Elms of Gila Bend, Arizona and a summer resident of Show Low, Arizona, died January 19, 2003 in Sun City, Az. He was born Feb. 16, 1915 in Sipe Springs, Texas and was just 28 days short of his 88th birthday. He had led a full active life and was a member of the Arizona National Guard "Bushmasters". He was later assigned to the HQ Co. of the 3rd Armored Div. as SGT. and served in Europe. He later served on the Selective Service Board from 1949 to 1976. He was commander and charter member of the V.F.W. Post in Gila Bend. Always active in the community, he served 10 years, on the school board and served as chairman and presided with the Zoning and Planning Commission from 1962 to 1991. Was president of the Gila Bend Senior Citizens and the Senior Citizens Advisory Board. He was instrumental in starting the "Adopt A Highway" program in Gila Bend and was active in the 3rd Armored Div. Assn. and was president of the Tri-District Assoc. He traveled around the world with his Army friends and families. He was a charter member of the Gila Bend Masonic Lodge and was serving as treasurer at the time of his death. He had received his 50 year pin in 2000. He was also a charter member of the Gila Bend Elks Lodge where he was a 60 year member. Being the father of three daughters, he was very active in the Rainbow Girls and was a Rainbow Dad. When the girls were grown, he became active in the Boy Scouts. He was a Boy Scout commissioner and instructor for 10 years. During that time, he was awarded the Scouts' highest honor, the "Silver Beaver". He is survived by his daughters, Janet Johnson, Nancy (Ray) Cassel and Susan Rodgers, all of Gila Bend, Az.; grandchildren, Elaine Johnson Reddy (Steve) Caldwell, Id., Donna (Jeff) Marchant, Tucson, Az., Wayne (Lee Ann) Lilangwe, of Malawi, Africa, Cassandra (Tim) Moyers of West Point, Ut., Patricia (Victor) Villegas of Buckeye, Az., Kristina (Pernell) Tomas of Tempe, Az., Catherine Johnson, Tucson, Az., Frances Rodgers and Susan Ramirez of Gila Bend. There are also twenty great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Peggy, brothers, Wilbur, Jack and Gerald Lee and grandson Ray Johnson. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 24th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Gila Bend, 220 Martin Ave. Interment will be in the Pioneer Cemetery, Gila Bend, Az. Courtesy of Pat Wilson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 02/14/2003 William Elmo "Bill" Elms, 87, died Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003 just 28 days short of his 88th birthday. He was born Feb. 16, 1915 in Comanche, Texas. Bill came to the Gila Bend area as a youngster and settled in the Cotton Center area. He graduated with the Gila Bend High School class of 1935 when the only school, what is now called Logan Auditorium. Bill led an active, full life. He was a member of the National Guard prior to WWII and was activated as a Sergeant in Headquarters Company of the Third Armored Division. He served in Europe, was part of the invasion force on D-Day and during that campaign he was injured, earning him two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He also participated in liberating many of the German Prisons and Death Camps. He was on the Selective Service Board from 1949 to 1976 and a charter member of the local VFW. Always active in the community, Bill served 10 years as a school board member and president; chairman and member of the Planning and Zoning Commission from 1962 to 1991, and remained member emeritus since that time. He was president of the Gila Bend Senior Citizens and of the Senior Citizens Advisory board. He was instrumental in starting the "Adopt A Highway" program in Gila Bend. He was able to participate in activities of the Third Armored Division Association and was President of the Tri-District Association. Bill traveled around the world with his many army friends and their families. He was a charter member of the Gila Bend Masonic Lodge, serving as treasurer at the time of his death. He had received his 50 year membership pin in the year 2000. Bill was also a charter member of the Gila Bend Elks Lodge and was a 60 year member. Being a father of three daughters, he was very active with the Rainbow Girls and was a Rainbow Dad. When the girls were grown, he became active with the Boy Scouts, becoming a Boy Scout Commissioner and Instructor for 10 years. During that time he received scouting's highest award, "The Silver Beaver." Bill is survived by his brother Ira G. Elms of Tucson; three daughters, Janet Johnson, Nancy (Ray) Cassel, and Susan Rodgers, all of Gila Bend; grandchildren, Elaine Johnson (Steve Reddy), Caldwell Idaho, Donna (Jeff) Merchant of Tucson, Wayne (Lee Ann) Johnson of Lilangwe, Malawi, Africa, Cassandra (Tim) Moyers of West Point, Utah, Patricia (Victor) Villegas of Buckeye, Kristina (Pernell) Tomasi of Tempe, Catherine Johnson of Tucson, Frances Rodgers and Susan (Art) Ramirez of Gila Bend; and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy; brothers, Wilber Jack and Gerald Lee and grandson Ray Johnson. Services were held Friday, Jan. 24 at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Bruce Helstrom officiating. Interment followed at Pioneer Cemetery in Gila Bend.