COLLIER, Frances Lucile

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, October 19, 2010 Frances Lucile Collier died Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, at Margaret T. Morris Care Center. She was born Sept. 4, 1918, in Barry, Texas. She was the daughter of Roy and Viola (Phelps) Farish. Lucile was 92 years old. Lucile and her late husband, Watts, owned and operated Collier & Collier, Inc., Real Estate and Insurance Agency for many years in part of the old Hassayampa Hotel. They built and developed the first shopping center in Prescott. They were partners in Park Plaza Shopping Center with their longtime friends, Clay and Elsie Smith. Watts and Lucile purchased the old Nichols ranch in Kirkland in the mid '60s. They moved to the Box C Ranch in 1971. In 1977, they purchased the Toehold Ranch, which was adjacent to the Box C. They sold the headquarters of the Box C and moved to the headquarters of the Toehold in 1977. They called the combined ranches the Y4 Ranch. Lucile was very active in her community. She was President of the Elks Ladies and is a lifetime member. She held many offices with Yavapai Cowbelles. She is a past president of Arizona State Cowbelles. She served as treasurer of Yavapai Cattle Growers for many years. She was active in Prescott Saddle Club and Prescott Women's Rod and Rifle. She served on the Kirkland School Board and the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Board. Lucile was a member of the Skull Valley Bible Church where she taught Sunday School to the Skull Valley Ranch School with her good friend, Anna Mae Sexton. She taught many a child, including her own, the lessons of the Bible. It would be an understatement to say that she was proudest of her faith in God and her family. She adored her family and they adored her. Lucile is survived by her two daughters, Priscilla Klemmedson of Dewey and Linda Gonzales (Tom, aka Gonzo) of the Y4 Ranch in Kirkland; her son-in-law, Don Benker (Lynne) of Skull Valley; grandchildren Larry Klemmedson of Groom Creek, Dan Klemmedson (Renita) of Queen Creek, Donna Harvey (Dennis) of Kirkland, and Dustin Benker (Katherine) of Peoria. She is survived by four great-grandchildren, Lynea Klemmedson, Dylan and Dailey Harvey and Joshua Benker. She has two step-great-grandchildren, Bailey Wilson of Flagstaff and Bryce Wilson of Reno, Nev. Lucile was preceded in death by her husband, Watts Collier, in 1997; daughter Deborah Benker in 2009; and son-in-law Don Klemmedson and grandson Wesley in 1977. A celebration of Lucile's life will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, with visitation one hour prior at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, corner of Cortez and Carleton. A luncheon will follow in the Carriage House. The family wishes to thank and extend their love and gratitude to Margaret T. Morris Center for the years of loving care that they gave not only to Lucile but to the family as well. The family suggests memorials in Lucile's name be sent to Margaret T. Morris, 878 Sunset Ave., Prescott, AZ 86305, or to Alzheimer's Association, 225 Grove Ave., Prescott, AZ 86301. You are invited to log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Lucile's guestbook, view a tribute to her and share a memory with the family. Remember, the sun sets as beautiful as the sun rises. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral home assisted the family.