Wilford Adis Durham

Wilford Adis Durham, age 95 of Overgaard, Arizona, passed away October 15, 2020, at his home peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born September 30, 1925, in Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, the second child of Adis Alonzo Durham and Susan Leone Ferrell. In 1929, due to his mother’s health, the family moved to Winslow, Arizona, where several other family members were living. In November 1937, after the death of his father, at age 13, Wilford did as his father asked and became man of the house, looking after his mother, three sisters and one brother. In 1941, the family moved to Phoenix where he lived and worked before moving to Overgaard, Arizona three years ago. With his mother’s consent, he joined the United States Navy at age 17 and served during World War II. A few years ago, he and his son, Mark, were able to go to Washington, DC on a WWII honor flight. Following an honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned home and in 1947 gained employment with the Phoenix Fire Department.  He retired as Captain after 33 years of service. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He married Evelyn Ruth Echols October 13, 1949, in the Mesa LDS Temple. They were married until her death in 2006. He married Bobbie Louise Inman Stewart on June 23, 2007 at her home in Sun City, Arizona. They were married until her death in 2013.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Verna Louise Schlinker, Nina Jean Farrington Tanner, and Marvine Whitmer.

He is survived by sons, Steve (MaryLee) Durham of Heber, Arizona; Mark (Debbie) Durham of Overguaard, Arizona; brother William (Linda) Durham of Glendale, Arizona; nine grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, as well as stepchildren Theresa “Joni” Fox, David, and Jimmy Stewart. 

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