STRONG, Willard Leon

Willard Leon Strong Sr, 68, of Overgaard died peacefully at home surrounded by his family May 3, 2009. Willard was born in Thorntown, Indiana, to Clarence Strong and Dorothy Fairfield Strong Sept. 22, 1940. He moved to Phoenix as a young man and has lived in Overgaard for the past 28 years. He was self-employed in heating and air conditioning. Willard loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. Willard is survived by six sons, Steven, Jeffrey, Larry (Sandy) and Adam, all of Phoenix, Willard L, Jr. (Kathy) of El Paso, Texas, and Joshua (Kayla), of Overgaard; daughter Amber (Marty) Jensen of Overgaard; and mother Dorothy Unangst of Phoenix. He also leaves 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and three sisters, Sue Johnson, Linda Eichorn and Shelia Doud, all of Phoenix. He was preceded in death by daughter Brandy Strong-Hugil, dad Loyd Unangst and sister Loretta Pierce. A viewing was held at Silver Creek Mortuary in Taylor Wednesday, May 6, at followed by funeral services. Interment was in Heber Cemetery. Silver Creek Mortuary of Taylor handled the arrangements. If you have a memory of Willard that you would like to share with the family or if you would like to sign an online memory book, visit silvercreekmortuary.net. Published in The White Mountain Independent 05/08/2009.