Bill Pasley

William Bill Pasley, 64, of Safford, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at Mt Graham Regional Medical Center following a long and valiant battle with diabetes. Bill was born to Stanley Bud & Eleanor Pasley on January 7, 1949 in Morenci, Arizona. While attending Morenci High School, Bill married his sweetheart, Tiny Smith. Because of his new responsibilities as a husband, he quit school and began to work as a butcher at Rays Sanitary Market in Clifton; he would later earn his GED. He worked in the Phelps Dodge smelter as a supervisor for 13 years before attending ABC Tech and Trade School in Tucson where he learned to weld. That led him to work for the City of Safford as a gas line welder; he would eventually become Supervisor of that welding crew. Following his 30-year career with the City of Safford, Bill retired and was given an award for Excellence in Service. Bill was an extremely talented artist; he would carve just about anything you put into his hands. He carved wood, ivory, and even carved faces into golf balls and peach seeds. He sketched and painted. As a silversmith he made bolo ties, rings and other jewelry with Arizona turquoise. He won many first place blue ribbons at the Graham County Fair for his hand made knives and other crafts. Bill was also a talented cook who loved to BBQ and make jerky and cheese. He excelled in everything he attempted. He is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Tiny Pasley; his parents, Stanley and Eleanor Pasley; sister, Gayle Swint and his brother, Claude Pasley. He is survived by his daughter, Jacqueline Pasley; son, Bryon Pasley; daughter, Misty Pasley; sisters Brenda Wilson, of Antlers, OK, and Sharon Jones, of Safford; brother, Mickey Wilson, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial services for Bill will be held on February 9, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at McDougals Caldwell Funeral Chapel. A gathering for family and friends will take place at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church immediately following the service.