William Aurist Wier, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and proud veteran, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2019, at Abrazo Central Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 74. A longtime resident of Mesa, Arizona, William lived a life marked by service, laughter, and unwavering love for his family and country.

Born on March 29, 1944, at Riverside Hospital in Bainbridge, Georgia, William was raised on a farm in Whigham, Georgia, by his parents, Theon and Martha (Harrell) Wier, alongside his siblings Helen and Robert Wier and his half-sibling Marvin Musselwhite. From his earliest days, his life was rooted in faith and family as a cherished member of Union Springs Baptist Church.

After attending Whigham High School in Whigham, Georgia, William enlisted in the United States Army in 1962. Shortly thereafter, he married his childhood sweetheart, Martha Chason, on April 16, 1963, at the Fort Campbell Army Base Chapel in Clarksville, Tennessee. Their love endured for 55 beautiful years, during which they raised three children: Shirley, Theon, and Amy Wier.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army in 1968, William pursued his passion for aviation, earning his commercial agricultural aviation license in 1976 and flying across Georgia and Florida as a crop duster. In 1979, he relocated with his family to Mesa, Arizona, where he continued to provide for them as a pipefitter with UA Local 469 in Phoenix and as a welder for Salt River Project in Tempe until his retirement in 2010.

William is survived by his beloved wife, Martha (Chason) Wier; three children, Shirley (Wier) Dockery and her husband Ian, Theon Wier and his wife Saundra (Allison), and Amy (Wier) Davis and her husband Christopher; twelve grandchildren, William, Douglas, Brenna, Savana, and Hadlie Dockery; Tiffany (Wier) Sandoval and her husband Patrick; Alison (Wier) Miller; Adam, William, Zachary, and Kayla Wier; and AnnMarie Davis; and two step-grandchildren, Sean Allison and Kyle Davis.

He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Rylan, Luna, and Novah Dockery; Andrew Ponce; Wesley, Cameron, and Jaxen Miller; and Lily Freshour-Wier; one step great-grandson, Knolan Sandoval; his sister, Helen (Wier) Garduno and her husband Phillip; his niece, Twila (Tew) Palmer and her husband Richard; his half-nephew, Richard Musselwhite; and many other dear relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theon Wier (1976) and Martha (Harrell) Wier (1996); his brother, Robert Wier (1948); his half-brother, Marvin Musselwhite (1984); two great-grandsons, Mason Miller (2003) and Cillian Dockery (2015); and a grandniece, Angelica Burch (2003).

A graveside service and interment of ashes were held on April 5, 2019, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.

Known for his strength, wisdom, and gentle humor, William had a gift for storytelling that brought joy to all who knew him. He was the steadfast heart of his family—always ready with a tale, a smile, or a laugh. His legacy of love, laughter, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know him.

As we continue our lives, we carry William in our hearts—remembering his smile, his laughter, the stories he shared, and the depth of his love for family and country.

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

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/william-wier/obituary/

Copy