March 23, 1918 – Jan 25 2014
Billy Vernon Judd completed his earthly mission on January 25, 2014, just 2 months shy of his 96th birthday. Bill was born March 23, 1918 in El Paso, Texas, during the Exodus from the Mormon colonies during the Mexican Revolution of 1912. He was the youngest of 14 children born to John Jerome Judd and Cynthia Amanda Brown. His parents were both born to Mormon pioneers who settled with their families in Colonia Chuichupa, Mexico, high in the Sierra Madres mountains of Chihuahuah. The town was very much on the frontier, as it was very remote and without electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing. Farm life was hard work but he early developed a lifelong love of horses. At age 14, while helping his father plant oats, his father was struck by lightning and Bill came to running behind the runaway horse with the reins still behind his neck. His father never recovered fully and died later that same year and his mother the following year. The children kept the family together and as the youngest, Bill was raised by his older siblings. His favorite times included various escapades in the Sierra Madre mountains with one or more of his brothers, fishing with his mother before her death, and sports and rodeos with his best friend Jack Davis. As a teenager, he lived for a time in Colonia Juarez to attend high school at the Juarez Stake Academy. He became a cowboy, and, while working for his future father-in-law, John A. Whetten, he met his future bride, Thelma Whetten. She had come to Chuichupa to teach school (a two-teacher grade school). His life dramatically changed that New Year’s Eve when he met “a very pretty young lady with long blond hair and wearing a black velvet dress” She introduced herself and he states, “Then and there life took on a different meaning for me. I managed to get in a dance with her, —and did I fall hard!” He says after 2 dates he knew she was the girl of his dreams. Desiring to be married in the Mormon Temple, they made a long journey, without escorts, on the train to El Paso and from El Paso to Mesa, Arizona. After their marriage, June 28, 1938, they made their home in Chuichupa where Thelma continued teaching school. They lost their first baby, Thelma, who lived only three days. JoAn was born in 1942 and later, Billy, Jr. When JoAn turned five, in order to have the children in a better school and because little Billy had health problems in the high altitude, the family moved to Colonia Juarez. Thelma, after all the children were in school, taught in the grade school. Bill worked as the maintenance man for the Academy and in later years taught woodworking shop classes. John was born in 1950, after which Bill built a new home, The twins, Larry and Donna, were born in the new home. As the years past, almost all of the families in Chuichupa moved out, most of them relocating in Colonia Juarez, so that now Bill and Thelma had families of brothers and sisters all around them. Bill became a favorite uncle, especially respected for his love and devotion to his wife, service to their families and for his honesty.
In 1981, Bill and Thelma, following their retirement, accepted a call to serve in the Mesa Arizona Temple as ordinance workers. They were appreciated greatly in serving Spanish-speaking patrons (since at the time there were no temples in Mexico and Guatemala). They served six years, during which they purchased a small home near the temple., but also as time past, Thelma’s health began to fail due to the long hours serving in the temple. Returning to Colonia Juarez, they quickly resettled and renewed their home. Since retirement income was not large, Bill accepted work on constructing a house and returned to teaching woodworking at the Academy. They were there when President Hinckley came to Colonia Juarez, later when a temple was announced to be built there and through the construction. However, Thelma’s eyesight and health had decreased so far, that after the temple dedication, they returned to Mesa where medical help was better. Thelma passed away June 17, 200l. Funeral services were held June 22, and she was interred in the Mesa City Cemetery.
Bill remained in Mesa for two and a half years, but finally moved to Peoria to be near Larry and Jana, and Donna. John and Mary Ann moved from Seattle and then Colorado to Sun City West be near him as well. Bill lived by himself in a small home near Donna and family, but as his own health diminished, in 2012, he accepted an invitation by JoAn and Dick to live with them in Providence, Utah. His sight and hearing diminished a great deal, and his ability to walk until as he neared the end he could not stand or walk at all. His health continued to decline and Dignity Hospice provided aid. His death occurred approximately 2:30 A.M., January 25, 2014.
He was preceded in death by his parents, all 13 siblings, Jed (Bertha), Cynthia (Jed Moffett), Reta (Clair Lewis), Elva (David Stevens), Hugh (Beth), John (Cora), Lanie (Gene Renner), Grant (Alice), Ada (Glen Whetten), Maude (Tucker Whetten), Lee (Margie), Lila (Cliffton Whetten), and Jess (Sabina). an infant child, Thelma, and his eternal companion of 64 years, Thelma Whetten. Bill is survived by 5 children: JoAn (Richard Berrett), Bill (Kay), John (Mary Anne), Donna and Larry (Jana); 13 Grandchildren: Jolynne, Janine (Corray Smith), Becki, Scott (Taunia), Kris (Matt Swensen), Leslie, Stephanie (Mike Lambertsen), Billy (Stacy), Monica (Gerald Lee), Blake (Sarah), Tricia, Kimberly, Lora; 22 Great- Grandchildren: Mike, Jared, Chris, Matt, Shaun (Camilla), Kyle, Kara, Laticia, Bill, Rob, Emilee, Stacy, Mike, Nicholas, Mitchell, Cody, Madison, Jackson, Cooper, Sophia, Andrew and Henley; and 9 Great, great grandchildren: Savannah, Shayanne, Robby, Sophie, Mike, Kylie, Madelyn, Haydon and Caleah
The family gives sincere appreciation to Dignity Hospice of Cache Valley, their staff, doctor, nurses and aides. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at 12:00 noon at Meldrum Mortuary Chapel, 52 N. MacDonald St., Mesa, AZ. with a viewing at 11:00 am. Internment will be in the Mesa City Cemetery. – See more at: http://www.meldrummortuary.com/obituary/Billy-Vernon-Judd/Providence-UT/1338456#sthash.e9UyOV3X.dpuf
