CALKINS, William (Bill)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Saturday, March 09, 2013 William (Bill) Calkins, 61, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 5, 2013. Bill was born in San Diego, Calif., and moved to Prescott Valley, Ariz., in 1994. He lost his battle with heart disease and suffered many years of chronic back pain. He is survived by his wife Judy of 26 years; his stepchildren, Brian Guinn, Michelle Ritt and Patricia Coffman; grandchildren, Jason, Andrew, Christopher, Kaela, Karissa and Austin; sisters, Mary Peabody and Doris Jimison; nephew, Frank Jimison; and many cousins. He will be greatly missed. Bill proudly served in the United States Air Force in the early 1970s. He spent most of his life as a truck driver, mechanic, HVAC tech, an accomplished welder, special inspector for structural steel welding, licensed contractor and home inspector. He had a wide variety of interests like restoring old trucks, anything mechanical, designing and building things, home construction and repairs. He loved to watch NASCAR and football. Bill will be remembered as a caring husband, stepfather, grandparent and friend to many. He did not know a stranger. He had a great sense of humor, was compassionate, a good listener, and was sensitive and giving to others. He had a hard time saying NO when someone needed help. Bill helped manage and run a local food bank giving to those in need. He was also a volunteer at the VA Hospital and was known as the "Banana Man" and the "Popcorn Man." Barry and Barbara Spangler will be the officiating pastors at a celebration of his life at 1 p.m. on March 16, 2013, at the VA Chapel on the VA Hospital campus on Highway 89 in Prescott. Military honors will be presented by the American Legion, Post 6. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the dedicated volunteers of the American Legion, Post 6, 202 S. Pleasant St., Prescott, AZ 86303. Information provided by survivors.