Sheaffer Family

Billy Homer McCoy, 81, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009, at Flagstaff Medical Center.

Mr. McCoy was born in Stith, Texas, to Willie Ruth Ellington and Thermon Emmett McCoy. He grew up in Texas and Arizona where he attended Isaac Junior High and North Senior High School. There, he participated in football and excelled at academics. He left school to join the U.S. Navy when he was 15 years old. After service a short stint, he was discharge from the Navy. He later served time in the U.S. Marines during World War II. He was injured while serving in Okinawa and was returned to civilian life after his honorable discharge. Soon after, he met Rita Colleen Odell in Phoenix, and they were married Feb. 22, 1948. They spent the last 61 years together.

Mr. McCoy worked for Seiberling Rubber Company in Phoenix for 20 years. He then changed occupations and became an ammunition inspector for the army as a civilian employee. In that capacity, he and Mrs. McCoy were able to live in Okinawa, Panama, Germany, Utah and Arizona. Mr. McCoy also served a year in Korea. They enjoyed their time in these countries, getting to know the people and learning about the cultures. They later retired to Flagstaff.

Mr. McCoy was an avid card player and especially enjoyed playing bridge with his friends at the Senior Center. He loved playing the lottery and along with his buddies shared a $250,000 prize. He was an extremely generous man and was always helping out one person or another in whatever they needed. He also loved solving crossword puzzles and spent every morning completing one before he went out to complete his daily tasks. He loved his country and his family.

He was very active until the end. He met his demise from complications of a bicycle accident on Jan. 31, 2009. He went down doing what he loved to do. He could often be seen riding his bike around town running his many errands. He also loved to go on early morning walks.

In addition to his wife, Mr. McCoy is survived by five children -- Kenneth Wayne (Andrea) McCoy of Phoenix, Judith Colleen (Charles) Owens of American Fork, Utah, William Todd (Cheryl) McCoy of Gilbert, Thurman Mark (Susan) McCoy of Sandy, Utah, and Tracy Odell (Margaret) McCoy of Farmington, Utah; 24 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the LDS Chapel, 2401 Linda Vista Drive, in Flagstaff.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the LDS Perpetual Education fund for underprivileged students in third world countries. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.norvelowensmortuary.com/.

Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.