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In memory of

William Lanham

Peoria, AZ, USA

August 8, 1937 - April 20, 2021

Aug 8, 1937 - Apr 20, 2021

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William Everett Lanham passed from his family’s loving arms on April 20, 2021 due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Bill was born on August 8, 1937 in West Virginia, one of several siblings. He is survived by his sisters Francis and Norma.

He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and was initially stationed at Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas. There, he met his future wife, Hermila “Sandy” Perez Lanham. In 1959, daughter Dora was born, and in 1963, second daughter Wanda completed the Lanham family. For the next 16 years, the Lanhams were stationed in Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, Arkansas, Alaska, and finally Spain in the late 1970s. Bill also performed tours in Vietnam and the Philippines. During his Air Force service, Bill was a star bowler on several Air Force teams in the U.S. and in Europe.

Bill retired from the Air Force in 1982 and for the next 20 years, worked for 7-11 as a manager, the U.S. Postal Service as a carrier, and finally as an entrepreneur, when he and Sandy owned and operated a fun-filled gift slot machine casino operation in San Antonio, Texas.

Bill, Dora, and Wanda lost Hermila “Sandy” Lanham in 2007, and Bill finally moved to Phoenix, Arizona with his daughters in 2014. For the past 7 years, Bill enjoyed his new Arizona life with his daughters Wanda and Dora, granddaughter Taylor Reed Sandine McKenney (born 1994), son-in-law Mark Reed (born 1958), and newest son-in-law Shelby Smith (born 1969).

Bill was an active member of the West Valley Center for Spiritual Living, and enjoyed weekly games of poker and pinochle with friends. He remained a devoted bowler until the end, despite his Parkinson’s disease.

Bill’s body will be interred at a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetary, San Antonio, Texas, along side his wife Sandy.

Please join us! Bill Lanham’s life will be celebrated at the West Valley Center for Spiritual Living on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 2pm — wvcsl.com — Reverend Karen Rice officiating — Refreshments served after service.

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