Bud Harper — Willis Everett Harper — was a happy-go-lucky guy who was fun to be with and seriously dedicated to his Heavenly Father and always walked his Christian life, did not just talk it. In addition, he was a loving, dedicated patriarch of his extensive Harper family. He had five children — a son, Arch, recently passed.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rose of Strawberry, Ariz.; daughter, Cynthia of Long Island, N.Y.; son, Steven of Pine Grove, Pa.; daughter, Georgiann of Strawberry, Ariz.; son, Will of Prescott, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and three more on the way, one to be named “Harper” after her great-grandpa.
He entered into this life in Phoenix, Ariz. June 21, 1927 along with his twin sister, Wilma Darlene, who preceded him in passing in 2005. His three brothers and two of their wives also preceded him in passing. Sister-in-law Phyllis of Phoenix, Ariz. remains with us.
He started his career working for some packing houses in Phoenix and one large one in California. He bought fat cattle for the meat companies. Cattle and ranching were in his blood. While working for others, he dreamed of ranching for himself. Jim Hughes and Ganz Cattle Company helped him get started on his own. When Jim saw he was doing fine, he backed away, thus the birth of Fargo Cattle Company. In return, he helped others to become involved in the business. He developed many ideas over the years dealing with cattle and was much in demand for his mental expertise to advise others. The phone still rings.
He never met a stranger. He loved cattle and ranching and loved living in the Rim Country. He said, “we moved to God’s country.” He went to live with his Heavenly Father June 16, 2014 in the lovely Rim Country Health facility. He created so many memories for his family and friends that he will be with us forever.
The last generous thing he did was to donate his remains to medical study. A Celebration of Life will be held at Messinger Payson Funeral Home, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 at 2 p.m.
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Obituary for Willis Everett Harper
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