It is with great sadness we announce that William Aurist Wier of Mesa, Arizona, age 74, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at Abrazo Central Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, with his family at his side.

William was born in Bainbridge, Georgia, on March 29, 1944, to Theon and Martha Wier. On April 16, 1963, he married Martha, his high school sweetheart. They had three beautiful children together and were happily married for 55 years. In 1962, he joined the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1968 with the Good Conduct Medal, Parachutists Badge, Expert Rifle Badge, and Driver Badge. In 1976, he obtained his Commercial Agricultural Aviation License and worked as a Crop Duster for several years. He moved with his family to Mesa, Arizona, in 1979, and began working for the UA Local Union 469 as a Pipe Fitter. In 1996, he started working for Salt River Project as a Welder until his retirement in 2010.

William is survived by his wife, Martha Wier; three children, Shirley (Ian) Dockery, Theon (Saundra) Wier, and Amy (Christopher) Davis; twelve grandchildren, William Dockery, Douglas Dockery, Brenna Dockery, Savana Dockery, Hadlie Dockery, Tiffany (Patrick) Sandoval, Alison Miller, Adam Wier, William Wier, Kayla Wier, Zachary Wier, and AnnMarie Davis; two step-grandchildren, Sean Allison and Kyle Davis; eight great-grandchildren, Rylan Dockery, Luna Dockery, Novah Dockery, Andrew Ponce, Wesley Miller, Cameron Miller, Jaxen Miller, and Lily Wier; one step-great-grandchild, Knolan Sandoval; one sister, Helen (Philip) Garduno; and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Theon Wier (1976); his mother, Martha Wier (1996); two brothers, Robert Wier (1948), and Marvin Musselwhite (1984); and two great-grandchildren, Mason Miller (2003) and Cillian Dockery (2014).

A Graveside Service and Burial for William will be held on Friday, April 5, 2019 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix at 10:00am followed by a reception at the home of his beloved wife.

As we live our lives from day to day, we will remember to keep William in our thoughts. We will remember his smile, his laughter, his sense of humor, his love for his country and family, and his many adventurous stories he loved to share. We will never forget how he touched our lives in so many ways.

"Say not in grief 'he is no more' but live in thankfulness that he was." - Hebrew Proverb