PALCICH, William Joseph (Will)

Norvel Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Arizona William Joseph Palcich (August 11, 1949 - April 23, 2014) William Joseph Palcich passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. Will was born in Hibbing, MN, on August 11, 1949, and graduated from Hibbing High School in 1967. He graduated from the College of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, MN and also had 2 degrees from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. He was called Will or Bill and sometimes even Griz. Besides working for Goulding's Trading Post in Monument Valley, Will also worked for the Kayenta, Sanders and Whiteriver Public Schools. He taught in several departments at NAU. Will considered his time on the Navajo and White Mountain Apache Reservations to be some of the best of his life. Will was noticeable because his great height but he was worth knowing because of his wide ranging mind and encyclopedic knowledge of things great and small. He met his wife at fencing club and his last hobby was dancing tango. There were many fine and interesting times in between. Surviving Will are his wife of 44 years, Cyndy Williams Palcich; his sister Mary Palcich Keyes and her husband, Joe Keyes. He was the son of Edward A. Palcich and Julia Verrant Palcich . He took great pleasure in his many friends, relatives and former students. Will died of heart failure and stroke but his heart never failed those he loved. Visitation will be at Norvel Owens on Tuesday, April 29, from 6-7. Rosary and funeral Mass will be at 10:00 and 10:30 respectively at San Francisco de Asis Church in Flagstaff on Wednesday, April 30th. Burial will be at All Souls Cemetery, Immaculate Conception Church, Cottonwood, AZ after the funeral. Will requested contributions in lieu of flowers to Mayday Pit Bull Rescue, Box 72406, Phoenix, AZ 85050, Second Chance for Animals, 11665 US 89, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004, or the Winslow Elks Lodge Christmas Basket program Box 89, Winslow, AZ 86047.