SANDS, William David (Bill)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, December 03, 2011 William David (Bill) Sands, 81, of Prescott, Ariz., passed away on Nov. 17, 2011. Bill was born in Eau Claire, Wis., on July 29, 1930, the only son of Otto Harrison Sands and Ethel Ann Way Sands. He spent most of his young life in La Crosse, Wis., and Hager City, Wis., where his grandfather, Frank Way, taught him to hunt and fish. In high school, he met the love of his life, Jeanne Claire Ross. After completing trade school in Chicago, Bill returned to La Crosse to marry Jeanne on June 30, 1950. They soon moved to Phoenix for Bill to start his career in refrigeration. He worked for a number of refrigeration shops in the Phoenix area including Alpine, Regal, Valley Sheet Metal, and finally, Thomas Heating and Air Conditioning where he served as piping superintendent for 23 years. He was a longtime member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 469. Bill retired in 1985. In 1989, they moved to Prescott where Bill was active in Prescott Community Cupboard and the city's Plumbing Review Board. Bill was a 32nd-degree Mason and member of the El Zaribah Shrine. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; children Tom (Debbie), Bill Jr. (Susan), Nancy Owens, and Jon (Christine); and grandchildren Donovan Owens and Preston, Ryan, Whitney, Alan, Lane and Ross Sands. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 630 Park Ave., Prescott. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children at 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. Please visit www.heritagefuneralchapels.com to sign Bill's online guestbook. Services entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary. Information provided by survivors.