William Fant Blackerby Jr.

William Fant Blackerby, Jr., 79, of Phoenix, met his Higher Power on November, 6, 2004, after complications of stroke and Alzheimers disease. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 41 years, Enid (Ott) Blackerby, sons William F. Blackerby, III, a Tennessee psychologist, and Phillip Blackerby, a Phoenix business consultant; stepdaughter Lynne Gray, a Reno technology company manager; stepson Robert A. Gray, Jr., a Denver developer; two sisters, Margaret McGurk and Coburn Cashman, and a brother, James Blackerby, all of Lexington, Kentucky; two grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren. His many friends will also miss him. Bill was a loyal and honorable man, devoted husband, caring father, unfailing pragmatist and avid golfer. He was brilliant, hard-working and generous, performing many good works anonymously. His life largely reflected the two great commands: love God, and treat others as he would want to be treated. He touched and blessed the lives of many and his legacy will be long remembered. Bill was born June 20, 1925, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Mathilda (Malloy) and Will Fant Blackerby. Upon graduating from St. Catherine Academy in 1943, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific until honorably discharged in 1946. He married Ann (Stall) Young, currently of Tucson, in 1947. He earned a business degree from the University of Kentucky, and honed his chess skills. A pioneer in modern subdivision development and finance, Bill and his family developed the Idle Hour subdivision in Lexington, with a park, school and shopping center, and packaged some of the first tradable mortgage-backed securities. In 1961, Bill moved to Phoenix, continuing his career as a licensed contractor, broker and residential appraiser. He also managed rentals and built and remodeled homes. He retired in 1996. A devout Roman Catholic, Bill was head usher at St. Theresa Church for many years, and member of the Knights of Columbus. He served over 20 years on the Board of Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix and 10 years on the Board of Arcadia Water Company. He was a founding member of the Arcadia Camelback Mountain Neighborhood Association, and a 17-year member of the First Light Group. A Scripture and Sharing Service for Friends and Family will be held from 6:00 - 7:00 P.M. Thursday, November 11th, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road. Memorial Mass will be at 9:30 A.M. Friday, November 12th, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 East Thomas Rd. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bill's name to Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, 2645 N. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 85008-1824.