Tribute to my grandpa Ronald Earl Wiltbank... My Uncle, Gale Ronald Wiltbank, wrote this about him:
Ronald Earl Wiltbank, my dad, a fourth generation Arizonian, born in Phoenix, Az on April 22nd, 1930, passed away in Mesa, Arizona on Friday April 11, 2014. He was the oldest living grandson of Joseph Udall and William Ellis Wiltbank Sr., who helped settle Eagar Arizona more than a century ago. His parent who grew up together in Eagar were William Ellis Wiltbank and Mary Alta Udall. Ellis and Alta lived in Albuqwuerque New Mexico for most of Ronalds's school years. His Survivors are his daughters Carol (David) Hartwig and Sandra Lunt, son Gale Ronald (Cathy) Wiltbank, fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The Wiltbanks lost a son and daughter in infancy and their son Gary as a mature adult.
He and Edith, Mom, graduated from Round Valley High School Together in 1948 and married in Socorro New Mexico on August 11, 1952. Their marriage was later sealed in the Arizona Temple.
Ronald spent thirteen years as a coach, teacher and administrator in public schools, He earned a bachelors and masters degree from New Mexico State University and was an assistant coach there for basketball and baseball.
His father died when he was nineteen, so he worked his way through college with help from his wife. His father's premature death was softened financially by insurance payments to his Mother. This experience gave him knowledge of the benefits of life insurance. Ronald later became an agent for Beneficial life Insurance of Salt Lake City, and assisted people with insurance products for more than fifty years, starting in 1958.
Ronald's desire to become active in the legal field led to his receiving a juris doctorate degree from Arizona State University in 1971. He opened a law office in Mesa later that year. He was soon appointed as the first Public Defender for Mesa and served there for about ten years. The Town Council of Eagar Arizona also appointed him Town Attorney for about twenty years. His career as an attorney continued until 2014. His mind was strong to the end.
Ronald, Edith and their family traveled to Salt Lake City for Church conferences for many years. Ronald was the President of the David Udall Family organization for twenty five years. Plus the Spencer Watson Wiltbank Family for many years, the George Henry Crosby Family, the Benjamin Brown family, etc. and had both his horse buggy from George Henry Crosby and the Model T truck at the reunions, 4th of July parade, etc. With wonderful relatives riding in them as much as we could.
Ronald complied or authored books such as, "Joseph Udall and his Extended Family", The "Browns and Crosbys in Round Valley" and "The Wiltbanks of Northeastern Arizona." He also helped his wife Edith compile "Family Love" a book about the family of her grandparents Sam and Mae Love of Eagar.
Long active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Sanits, Ronald served in many positions including the High council of the Maricopa stake for 22 years. Plus a mission in San Jose California in 2001-2003.
In civic activities Ronald served as the Mesa,Chamber of Commerce President and President of the Mesa Optimist club, plus the Arizona Optimist club president. He was very pleased to support Sunshine Acres Children's home for decades.
Ronald Earl Wiltbank, my dad, a fourth generation Arizonian, born in Phoenix, Az on April 22nd, 1930, passed away in Mesa, Arizona on Friday April 11, 2014. He was the oldest living grandson of Joseph Udall and William Ellis Wiltbank Sr., who helped settle Eagar Arizona more than a century ago. His parent who grew up together in Eagar were William Ellis Wiltbank and Mary Alta Udall. Ellis and Alta lived in Albuqwuerque New Mexico for most of Ronalds's school years. His Survivors are his daughters Carol (David) Hartwig and Sandra Lunt, son Gale Ronald (Cathy) Wiltbank, fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The Wiltbanks lost a son and daughter in infancy and their son Gary as a mature adult.
He and Edith, Mom, graduated from Round Valley High School Together in 1948 and married in Socorro New Mexico on August 11, 1952. Their marriage was later sealed in the Arizona Temple.
Ronald spent thirteen years as a coach, teacher and administrator in public schools, He earned a bachelors and masters degree from New Mexico State University and was an assistant coach there for basketball and baseball.
His father died when he was nineteen, so he worked his way through college with help from his wife. His father's premature death was softened financially by insurance payments to his Mother. This experience gave him knowledge of the benefits of life insurance. Ronald later became an agent for Beneficial life Insurance of Salt Lake City, and assisted people with insurance products for more than fifty years, starting in 1958.
Ronald's desire to become active in the legal field led to his receiving a juris doctorate degree from Arizona State University in 1971. He opened a law office in Mesa later that year. He was soon appointed as the first Public Defender for Mesa and served there for about ten years. The Town Council of Eagar Arizona also appointed him Town Attorney for about twenty years. His career as an attorney continued until 2014. His mind was strong to the end.
Ronald, Edith and their family traveled to Salt Lake City for Church conferences for many years. Ronald was the President of the David Udall Family organization for twenty five years. Plus the Spencer Watson Wiltbank Family for many years, the George Henry Crosby Family, the Benjamin Brown family, etc. and had both his horse buggy from George Henry Crosby and the Model T truck at the reunions, 4th of July parade, etc. With wonderful relatives riding in them as much as we could.
Ronald complied or authored books such as, "Joseph Udall and his Extended Family", The "Browns and Crosbys in Round Valley" and "The Wiltbanks of Northeastern Arizona." He also helped his wife Edith compile "Family Love" a book about the family of her grandparents Sam and Mae Love of Eagar.
Long active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Sanits, Ronald served in many positions including the High council of the Maricopa stake for 22 years. Plus a mission in San Jose California in 2001-2003.
In civic activities Ronald served as the Mesa,Chamber of Commerce President and President of the Mesa Optimist club, plus the Arizona Optimist club president. He was very pleased to support Sunshine Acres Children's home for decades.
