FINCH, Wilfred J. (Bill)

Wilfred J "Bill" Finch of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on June 7, 2003 at the age of 90. He was born May 14, 1913 in Ovid, Michigan, but had lived in Phoenix for more than 50 years, with a second home in Flowing Springs, AZ. He is survived by his wife of nearly 71 years, Clara Ruth, his son Gerald Finch and his daughters Carole Fogle and Patty Finch Dewey, as well as 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great- grandchildren. As a co-owner of Apex Manufacturing, he helped grow the business in its formative years from a start-up enterprise to a highly successful venture. He enjoyed residential real estate investing, always treating everyone with fairness and generosity, and often helping family and friends, while remaining in the same home for more than 50 years. A former president of the Arizona Philatelic Society, his great love of stamp collecting was passed on to hundreds of children who visited his website and wrote to him in his retirement, responding to his offer of free stamps. He hand-selected stamps from his collection to send to each child, based on his or her interests. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14th at 1:00 pm at Unity of Phoenix, 1500 E. Greenway Parkway. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/11/2003.