CROSBY, Welton L.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ December 7, 2010 Welton L. Crosby, 97, died Dec. 1, 2010, in Washington, Utah. He was born April 18, 1913, in Eagar to Albert Crosby and Carrie Rencher Crosby. Welton was raised by tough pioneer ancestors, the Crosbys and Renchers-families who farmed and ranched, hunted and fished, and lived off the land. He worked with his father, who was a blacksmith, and developed an aptitude for mechanical things. He graduated from Round Valley High School in 1931. After high school he was fascinated with the newly developed diesel engine, and soon become a skilled diesel mechanic working in San Francisco and Phoenix. In 1942, he married Lula Hall, also from Eagar. She was an educator who taught school for 44 years. They had three sons, Welton Jr., Ray and Gaius. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in North Africa, India, and Burma. He qualified as a sharpshooter and was quickly promoted to instructor. Most of his military service was spent as a mechanic/machinist who worked at servicing and repairing tanks and military equipment. His work was exceptional and the Army applied for patents on devices that he invented. After the war, he opened Crosby Sheet Metal Works, a heating and cooling business in Phoenix. After selling the business he farmed and ranched during the 50s and 60s, growing cotton in Wellton, homesteading in Rupert, Idaho and creating a 640-acre ranch near Dateland. In the 50s he built a cabin at Lake Havasu, which became a favorite place for family and friends for over 50 years. He was a strong person-strong in his beliefs, strong in his example, and strong in his religion. He was blessed with an independent and creative mind. He did things "his way," with sometimes little regard for the "standard way." He was a mechanical genius, always fixing, tinkering and improving things, and even at the age of 95 was inventing a better mousetrap. His life was an example of hard work, self-reliance, thrift and honesty. He and his wife, Lula (married 68 years), spent their last 10 years residing in Toquerville, Utah. With Lula's passing Sept. 11, 2010, his strength and strong-will quickly faded away. Few have lived so unassuming and modestly, with so much to give. As a family we express our gratitude to the Beehive Homes in Washington, for their excellent care of our father over the past month. Welton is survived by his three sons, Welton Jr. (Alla), Flathead Lake, Mont.; Ray (Stacy), Springville, Utah; and Gaius (Sue), Washington, Utah; 19 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Toquerville LDS chapel, with the viewing at 9:30 a.m., funeral at 10:30 a.m., and internment with military honors at the Toquerville Cemetery.