GOODALE, William (Bill) D.

Kingman Daily Miner, Kingman, AZ - Published on November 4, 2012 - William "Bill" D. Goodale was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 20, 1947. He was born to Edward "Mike" and Hazel Goodale. A sister, Susan, was born several years later and the family resided in Cedar Rapids until Bill left home following high school graduation. Bill attended college at Iowa State and finished his degree in 1971, Urban Studies at Mankato State University, training home of the Minnesota Vikings. Bill's career interest has always been in economic development and planning. Following graduation in 1971, he became the city planner for Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc., where he married and had two wonderful daughters, Beth and Jennifer. After several years, Bill left Wisconsin relocating to Colorado. He became a city planner for the city of Colorado Springs, where he enjoyed hiking up the Rockies, finally getting to the 14,000-foot elevation. He loved the area of Colorado, and returned many times to enjoy the Rockies. Following Colorado Springs, Bill moved to another planning position in Garfield County, Glenwood Springs, Colo. He stayed a short time before being offered the position for Planning and Zoning director for Mohave County, Ariz., thus relocating to Kingman. Bill remained with the Planning and Zoning Department for several years. Seems a dispute about building homes inside the levee on the river caused a parting of the way. Bill married Doris in l975, and the roots of family were deepening so Bill decided to change career paths as he had grown to love Kingman. Bill and Doris had two great children, Stephanie and Michael. Bill went to work in the insurance industry for several years. Then he decided to change careers and began working for his mother-in law (whom he nicknamed the Warden) and father-in-law, Ellis Rucker for Rucker Motors. Anyone who knew Ellis, knew this was going to be a real challenge for Bill. Bill had the right personality and he and Ellis got along at work and at home. Bill stayed with Rucker Motors for nine years. A new semi-independent economic development group was formed, Mohave Economic Development Authority, Bill was offered the position of assistant director which allowed him to return to his first love, economic development. Bill was in love with this job. MECDA continued working for economic growth for Mohave County and was very successful in bringing in new industry and jobs. After several years, the director retired and Bill became the new director for MECDA. Oh, political winds change and MECDA was unfunded by the county and Bill was once again on the lookout for a new career. Bill continued to work as a consultant in economic development. Bill was very involved in our community. He was a 35-year member and past deacon of Manzanita Baptist Church. He was a member of the Lion's Club and worked for their various charities - loved the Christmas tree lot. After Doris retired from the Kingman Unified School Board, she convinced Bill to run for the school board. As Bill used to tell everyone, "what would we talk about at home if one of us were not on the board." While Bill was on the board, he and the board hired the new/current superintendent, developed and opened new schools as well as fought hard to improve our local educational programs. Bill was involved in working with Superintendent Jacks for new educational programs such as the Cambridge program, the new on-line school, and a super fan of our JTED programs. While a school board member, Bill worked closely with the Arizona School Board Association and for the past three years was voted by local school boards to be the county director - the member who worked with all school boards in the county and ASBA. Bill loved working for kids and education. On Oct. 7, 2012, Bill was home in his office when he was struck with a deep-seated ruptured vessel in his brain. He was transported to Barrows Stroke Unit and on Oct. 14, he was transported to Hospice of the Valley and passed with family present on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. Bill was an organ donor. Bill is survived by his wife of 38 years, Doris Goodale; Beth Randrup and grandson, Logan of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc.; Jennifer Goodale of Stillwater, Minn.; Stephanie Goodale and sons, Phillip and Dustin of Kingman; Michael Goodale and son, Dakota Tyler of Kingman. Also surviving are his sister, Susan (Jack) Zupan of Yardley, Pa.; niece, Lise (Jason) Falconer of Birmingham, Ala.; and nephew, Lucas Gelatko of Yardley. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, at Lee Williams High School with a small reception following. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, a Bill Goodale fund has been set up at the Kingman Unified School District office. The funds will be distributed by the school and family to the special needs program, the robotics program and other programs for innovation and reform.