William M. Barth

William Barth Obituary

William M. Barth, 66, passed away in his Payson Arizona home on January 21, 2008 after a short struggle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He was born to Judge William and Elizabeth Barth in Chicago, IL on August 6, 1941. Bill was born and raised in the downtown Chicago area and was a finance graduate of Notre Dame University and a law graduate of Loyola Law School in Chicago. He is admitted to the bars of Illinois, Indiana and several federal jurisdictions. He served as a Captain in the United States Army primarily in Iran during the mid 60's. Bill practiced law for a number of years after he left the Army in both private practice and corporate law departments. Thereafter, he served in many different operating and staff capacities for several mid-sized public and private food companies in the United States. He served as President of The Wornick Company, Right Away Division in McAllen, Texas from 1979 – 2000. Bill left The Wornick Company in 2000 and moved to Arizona to be closer to his franchise auto lubrication centers, which are located in 5 North Central Arizona cities. Bill leaves behind his beloved Joan McManus and his children Brian and Eric Barth of Austin, Texas, Dana Black and son-in-law Mark Black of Portland, Oregon and his sister Betty Barth Jennett and brother-in-law Ned Jennett of Sun City, Arizona. Bill's larger than life presence and colorful gift of conversation ensured that he never knew a stranger in his life. He enjoyed scenic Arizona and all of its critters, sailing, skiing, golfing and was an avid fan of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears and Notre Dame football. If Bill could give one piece of priceless advice to everyone on Earth, it would most certainly be – "Don't take yourself too seriously". Donations may be made to the following in Bill's name: ALS Association, Development Dept., 27001 Agoura Rd, Ste. 150, Calabasas Hills, Ca. 91301; RTA Hospice, 511 S. Mud Springs Rd., Payson, AZ 85541 or Payson Humane Society, PO Box 242, Payson, AZ 85547. Celebration of Bill's life will be forthcoming, please e-mail Joan @ [email protected] for time and place.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic on Jan. 25, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for William Barth

12 Entries

Kathleen Carlson

February 11, 2008

Dear Joan, I pray that God will give you and Bill's family peace and courage during this difficult time. I will always be grateful to Bill for making the controversial decision to hire me at TWC, twice! He was a great mentor. His positive attitude, enthusiasm and sincere interest in others made him a terrific leader. His efforts to implement the ESOP made a positive difference in many people's lives.

Mario & Rosie Donaire

February 5, 2008

Mr. B (Bill) was one of the greatest persons I had the pleasure of knowing. He made my years at the Wornick Company feel like I was working with family. He never made any one feel less than anybody else. He had the capacity of filling the room with happiness and he had a heart filled with compassion. My deepest condolences to those he left behind, but always remember that he has a special spot in our heart.

Gina Villanueva Chalfant

January 31, 2008

To all family members, I offer my deepest condolences at this time. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Barth at TWC and I always enjoyed his great smile. May you all find comfort at this time.

Larry & Margie Thompson

January 30, 2008

Joan, Every time I go by the 11th Tee I think of you guys. Hope you can make it through this hard time and just remember the good times. Your friends .

Diana and Paul Dupont

January 28, 2008

Dear Joan and family, we are saddened to hear of Bill's passing. Bill truly was "larger than life" and was an extremely gracious host, everytime we visited McAllen. Joan, you are in our thoughts and prayers during these difficult times. Diana Hook and Paul Dupont

Rob & Lucia Dunn

January 27, 2008

I am Ned Jennett's cousin and I taught at Loyola Academy when Bill was there. There were a number of occasions when I knew the Barth family. Another of our cousins, Tom Noonan from Tucson would also send his remembrance.
Rob & Lucia Dunn

John Clark

January 26, 2008

I went to school with Bill in Chicago and was saddened to learn of
his passing.
Rest in peace my friend.

Chris Taylor

January 26, 2008

Dear Joan,

Although Bill and I did not have too much time together, I always enjoyed his genuineness and delighted in the times I had with him. This is a sad parting. My best wishes for your family... Chris Taylor OCH Franchisee

James Hayes-Bohanan

January 25, 2008

I was startled and saddened to hear of Bill's passing, through a mutual friend.

In some ways, Bill and I could not have been more different from each other. But he had an expansive optimism, and he gave me opportunities to learn and grow professionally in ways I never anticipated.

Now I am a college geography professor with a little bit of business experience. I like to think that because of the chances Bill took in hiring me, I am able to provide my students with something just a bit different than they would have gotten from me otherwise. In this way, as in many others I am sure, his legacy will be a lasting one.

Imelda Leal

January 25, 2008

Bill impacted my life so much! He was a mentor and good friend. He believed so much in me. He always told me to "go out and get what I deserved and not to be shy about asking for it!" His memory will always be with me.

"Mellie"

Nancy Morales

January 25, 2008

To Joan and all the family, my deepest and sincerest sympathy.

To Mr. B: Even though you asked me to call you "Bill", I always referred to you as Mr. Barth or Mr. B. You gave me the opportunity to work for you at TWC and I will always be grateful for that as those 10 years there were some of the best and most rewarding of my life. I have many fond memories of you as you truly made Wornick a "fun place to work". You were loved by many especially by the employees at TWC. You truly were larger than life and will be dearly missed. May you rest in peace.

Love,
Nancy or, as you liked to call me "Nancita"

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results