WILCOX, Willis Dean

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Saturday, May 12, 2012 Willis Dean Wilcox, 67, died May 9, 2012, in Winslow. Visitation will be held Sunday from 3 to 4 p.m. at Greer’s Mortuary Chapel, Winslow. Holy Rosary will be recited Monday at 1 p.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m., both at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Winslow. Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow is handling the arrangements. ~~~~~~~~~ Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow, Winslow, Arizona Willis Wilcox May 09, 2012 Holy Rosary for Willis Wilcox, 67, will be held Monday, May 14, 2012 at 1:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Desert View Cemetery. Willis Dean Wilcox, 67, was born April 21, 1945 in Winslow, Arizona. He along with his twin brother, William George, were the 4th and 5th children of Joseph and Dorothy Wilcox. He was Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo born for Tabaahi (Edgewater Clan). Dean attended schools in Winslow and graduated from Winslow High School in 1964. He loved playing sports and was active on the high school football and baseball teams all four years of high school. His love for sports carried on through his children, especially his four daughters who were athletes. In 1967, Dean participated in the BIA Indian Relocation Program. He was sent to Los Angeles and attended long Beach City College. He became a Certified Machinist and worked in the LA area for a short time. While there he met his first wife, Ruthie Simms. They married and moved back home to Winslow where his first daughter. Deanna, was born in 1972. Dean began working for the EI Paso Natural Gas Company in 1973. He was assigned to Navajo Station near Ganado. Unexpectedly his wife passed away and he was left with an infant daughter. However, fate was in his corner and the stars aligned one magical evening as his twin brother introduced him to a mutual friend, and later the love of his life Amelia Curley. His heart was stolen their first date, when she cooked him a tasty dinner of Mutton Stew and Fry Bread. He was hooked! The lovebirds were married on June 23,1976 in Winslow. The young family consisting of Dean. Millie. daughter Deanna, and son Dion. began their life together when his company transferred him to Leupp Station. Here they added four more to the crew, Dana, Donna, Todd and Tara. During his time in Leupp. Dean introduced the sport of baseball to many young boys and girls in the Leupp area. He coached the Leupp Redskins which became the Cleveland "Leupp" Indians Little league baseball team for over 20 years. Every spring he recruited any and all interested kids to participate on his baseball team. Daily practice sessions at the Leupp Station or Winslow backstop fields and two to three games a week in Winslow kept him and his teams busy. He would haul his entire team in the back of his White Dodge pickup to their games and practices. He always rewarded their efforts with a trip to Burger King after every game and practice. For many of those years his brother-in-law. Todd Curley, was the Indians' Assistant Coach. They were two of the best coaches developing their player's fundamental. baseball skills and teaching lifelong lessons of caring. dedication. and teamwork. Dean's family was always along for the ride supporting his teams year after year. They share so many fun memories of those days and are so appreciative of all his former players that have expressed their gratitude for what Dean and Indians baseball provided for them. Dean often talked about so many of the baseball players he coached and his favorite memories. His face always lit up when he recalled his coaching memories. He loved the opportunity to coach so many great kids and share his passion for baseball with them. The Indians are his Legacy! Dean had a great appreciation for the outdoors. Him and his family enjoyed weekend camping and fishing trips. Especially, the infamous California and Las Vegas spring break vacations with all the windows down and No Air Conditioning because as he would say, "It's not that hot, quit crying." He always looked forward to October's hunting season. These were good times spent with his brothers, nephews and son, Dion. After retiring from EI Paso Natural Gas Company in 1996, Dean began work with Alex's Transportation for several years. He enjoyed driving long distances and meeting people while on the road. He was always up to tell a story and share some laughs. He worked here until health issues forced him to retire. It was then that he devoted his life fully to his family and his grandchildren. He loved his family dearly and it was because of them that Dean considered himself a very wealthy man. He also used this time to strengthen his mental and spiritual well-being. In September of 2006, he was diagnosed with cancer. Dean was always a fighter and was determined to beat the odds. Familial care and support along with the love of his wife, children and grandchildren kept him energized and in good spirits. Dean passed away peacefully in his home on May 9, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Amelia, sons, Dion Curley and Todd Wilcox, daughters Deanna, Dana, Donna and Tara Wilcox; brother Joe Wilcox (Elvira), sister in laws Lucille, Doris and Margaret Wilcox; grandson Darius Franklin, granddaughters Adriane Nunez, Aimee and Ava Wilcox, Teya and Rhiannon Franklin; brother in laws, Stanley Curley Jr., Todd (Paula) Curley, Terrance Curley and sister in laws Dolly (Tony) Gonzales, Sandra (Merrill) Hoyengowa and Starlene (Paul) Buonviri and numerous relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Dorothy Wilcox, his loving mother in law Polly Curley, brothers, Norman, Ted and George Wilcox; sisters Eleanor Reyes and Verna Jean Wilcox, nephews, Joe and Mike Wilcox, niece Tamara Wilcox and granddaughter Amanda Wilcox. Willis Dean Wilcox was a father, a husband, a mentor, a protector, a hunter, a coach and a hero. His spirit will live on in his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.