By Steve Sherwood
Bill Sherwood’s son
PIMA, ARIZ. – On May 5, Bill Sherwood passed away due to cancer.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marcia Lyn and four sons: Steve (Leigh), San Tan Valley; Dale (Deena), Casa Grande; Matt (Kim), Pima; and Kit (Sawnya), Pima, as well as 25 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by one son JC.
He was born in Snowflake, Arizona on April 3, 1939, the second child and oldest son of 12 kids to C.J. and Theda Sherwood. During high school Bill worked various jobs to help make ends meet. One of his favorite jobs was working in the log woods. Shortly after graduation he joined the Navy and served four years on a submarine. He was working as a cowboy in a feedlot when he met his eternal companion, Marci. After a short time the couple moved to Florida to be near her parents. There he started a business vaccinating and hauling chickens. In 1972 the family moved back to Snowflake where they lived until 2003. Bill and Marci finally tired of the wind and cold weather and moved to Florence where they resided until shortly before his passing. Dad was a lifelong cowboy and ardent team roper who loved hauling his kids and grandkids to rodeos or ropings throughout the United States. He was so greatful for all the rodeo (family) that he acquired through his travels.
Dad was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many callings but was most proud of getting to represent his savior as a full time missionary with his wonderful wife for a year and a half. He had a very strong testimony of the next life and was ready to go and see his dad and mom again as well as his beloved son JC who passed away at only 9 years of age.
Dad had a great love for his brothers and sisters and took every opportunity to get together with them and visit. He was a big hearted person in every way and never was known to turn anyone away whether they needed to borrow a horse or a pickup or just needed a meal. Thanks Dad for a wonderful example and a great life. You will be missed by so many.