CHAMBERS, Billy Joe

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 07/30/2004 Billy Joe Chambers died while working at his property, July 20, 2004 at the age of 67. Billy was born Oct. 22, 1936 in McNary to Coy Quincy "Pete" and Grace Holliday Chambers. Billy Joe graduated form McNary High School in May 1954. He spent summer vacations working at the McNary General Store, running survey chains for Al Hunt and fighting forest fires whenever needed. Some of Billy's favorite activities were spent hunting, fishing, and camping in what he referred to as "his beautiful White Mountains." Billy also enjoyed time spent with his great lifetime friend, Billy Collins and family who lived at the BIA camp in the west part of McNary. There was a spring located not far from the Collins' home that attracted a lot of attention from both Billy and Bill. We probably will never know what the attraction was as both Bill's lips are sealed as to the treasure encased in the ice cold water. Could it have been ice-cold spring water, which at that time may have been referred to as Adolph's best in the West Beer? Bill and friends spent wonderful times in Maverick, playing and swimming in ponds that contained water, which made for great ear infections. Billy suffered from those all his life. After graduating from high school, Billy Joe attended one semester at Arizona State University in Tempe. Following that semester he signed up with the US Marine Corps. However his stint in the Marines was short-lived. After his discharge from the service, he went back to McNary and worked for the McNary General Store, a U.S. Post Office. As fall approached he again begin thinking of going back to school. This time he attended Eastern Arizona Junior College. It was a great school year, striking up new friendship and finding his old buddy, Dennis Poer. It was during this time that Billy learned to smoke. A five dollar bet between he and Dennis left Billy a little short in the pocket, as he found it wasnít easy to give up cigarettes. Billy was given a chance to work on the large saws for Southwest Forest Industries Lumber Mills and later became head saw filer. It was quite a responsibility keeping the band saws in tip-top condition so as not to scratch the large slabs of lumber being cut from the length of large Ponderosa Pine. Billy later worked for a brief time at Fort Apache Timber Company as head saw filer. After suffering an injury to his back he went to work for Sperry Flight System in the machinist trade, a job he loved and did well. He was fortunate to land a job with Salt River Project. He had many friends he enjoyed working with until his retirement. Billy Joe's survivors include his wife, Paula, two sons, William "Gilî" Chambers (Cindy); and three granddaughters, Valarie, Amy and Trisha; Steve M. Chambers (Stacey) and two grandchildren Trenton and Lyndsay; and brother Dennis D. Chambers (Marci). Preceding him in death was his daughter; brother Ronnie Chambers; parents Coy Quincey "Pete" and Grace Holliday Chambers; and grandparents Grover Cleveland and I.M. Holliday. Memorial services are to be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 30, at Owens Mortuary Chapel, 320 N 9th St., Show Low. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity or the American Heart Association. Burnham-Jewkes Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.