WILMETH, Tom, Sr.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona 1976 A well-known Wickenburg businessman was killed and another was severely injured in the crash of a single-engine plane one Constellation Road Sunday night. Dead is Tom Wilmeth, Sr., owner of Wilmeth’s Chevron Service Station as well as a laundry and dry cleaning establishment in Sun City. Injured in the accident was Dana Burden, a Wickenburg native, Manager of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce and former congressional aide to Arizona Congressman Sam Steiger. Three Wickenburg teenagers driving along Constellation Road saw the plane go down and went to the scene. They also notified authorities. Residents in the area reported seeing the plane flying very low just prior to the crash at 7:30 p.m. The actual cause of the accident was being investigated Monday by F.A.A. officials. It appeared that the plane struck a power line when one wing dipped to low, causing the craft to flip and land upside down. The aircraft came down on Constellation Road between the Town rodeo arena and the shooting range in Constellation Park. The plane hit a power line and power was disrupted in that area for several hours, according to sources. Burden was taken by ambulance to the Wickenburg Community Hospital and then transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix where he was listed in stable condition early Monday with multiple injuries. Memorial services for Wilmeth were held Wednesday at the Calvary Baptist Church. Wilmeth came to Wickenburg in 1951 and has been active in community affairs. He was a past President of the Rotary Club and a Director of the Desert Caballeros. Former President of the Saddle Club and active in the Chamber of Commerce, he was also a former Deacon of the Presbyterian Church and most recently a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. Wilmeth was an experienced pilot and frequently volunteered for emergency flights and searches. He is survived by his wife, Alta Mae, two sons, Tom Jr., and John and a daughter, Loretta Johnson, also two brothers and three sister and seven grandchildren. The family has requested contributions to the Calvary Baptist Church building fund in lieu of flowers.