RICHEY, Philip Nielsen

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 05/22/2015 Philip Nielsen Richey, 92, died Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in Phoenix. He was born March 8, 1923, in St. Johns, the son of Hugh and Nellie Magnolia Nielsen Richey. Philip was a heavy engineering contractor for Richey Construction Co. Inc., retiring in 2000. He was a “builder of men.” Philip graduated from St. Johns High School in 1941 and served in the Army Air Corps (Air Force) from 1942-47, achieving the rank of captain before the end of World War II, during which he trained other pilots for multi-engine planes. He married Anna Peterson, his hometown dream girl, in the Mesa Temple for “time and all eternity” in 1944. They returned home to St. Johns in 1947 to raise a faithful family of seven children. Philip served diligently in many church callings over the 80 years he lived in St. Johns, including the original Second Ward Bishopric and was on the St. Johns Stake High Council for many years, but enjoyed singing in the choir the most. Beginning with his father, he was a strong businessman within the construction industry, employing many and building many projects in the local area, including the original paving of the streets of St. Johns. Later, he expanded his business to roads and buildings all over the southwestern United States. He also helped several other start-up businesses to grow and develop by investing capital funds. However, he felt his crowning construction achievement was working as a service missionary, along with his wife, on the 20,000-seat LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah He traveled the world with his “Anna Dear” for 67 years before she passed four years ago. He went to join her last week after a short illness, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Philip is survived by his sons, Steven Keith Richey of Conway, S.C., Clinton George Richey of Queen Creek, Jonathan Philip Richey of Springville, Utah, and Ronald Hugh Richey of Mapleton, Utah; daughters Marianne Taylor of Thatcher, Karlene Richey Rose of Gilbert and Innette Crosby of Mesa; brothers Milford Richey and Dale Richey; sister Lavina Richey Platt; 34 grandchildren; and 36 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother Dean Richey and sisters Sharell Richey Durrant and Maleen Richey Bean. A viewing was held May 21, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Preston Ward of Mesa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Downtown Chapel in St. Johns, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow the funeral services at the St. Johns Westside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the General Missionary Fund of Tthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through a local bishop or Corporation of the President, 50 E. North Temple Room 1521, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 or you may call 800-453-3860, ext. 2-2554 or email donations@ldschurch.org. If you would like to leave an online condolence for Philip’s family, visit www.burnhammortuary.com. Burnham Mortuary of St. Johns handled arrangements.