WILKINS, Byron

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 08/11/2006 Byron Wilkins, 84, died at his home in Eagar, Aug. 3, 2006. Byron was born in Nutrioso, March 26, 1922. He graduated from Round Valley High School and attended Northern Arizona University on an athletic scholarship. He spent three and a half years in the United States Navy. After returning to the White Mountains he married his high school sweetheart, Rozelda Butler, and determined he would never leave his beloved White Mountains. Byron and Rozelda raised seven children. He was a devoted husband and father who continually showed love and concern for each of his children and their families. He was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in the Carolina's. He devoted much of his life in service to the church and held many leadership positions. For many years he was employed as a a heavy equipment operator with Arizona Department of Transportation until his retirement, but his heart always was in farming and ranching. And Byron always enjoyed a good ball game His survivors are wife, Rozelda Wilkins; sons, Dean (Helen) Wilkins, Dennis (Janet) Wilkins, Orson (Sherrie) Wilkins, Chester (Annette) Wilkins; daughters, Elaine (Don) Cash, Naurine (Keith) Cook and Carla (Alan) Sherrow. Also surviving are 28 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 8 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Eagar Stake Center, Eagar. Interment followed at the Nutrioso Cemetery. Burnham Mortuary, Eagar, handled the arrangements.