Haelbig

Billy E. Haelbig, age 86, returned home to his Heavenly Father on July 10, 2020.

Billy was born Nov. 17, 1933, to William and Ivy Jones Haelbig. He was r a i s e d i n R o c k d a l e , a l o n g w i t h his two older sisters Wanda Lebo and Willine Lolly.

He graduated from Rockdale High School in 1951. He loved following the Rockdale Tigers. He remained close friends with his classmates throughout his life. He was a proud son of Texas.

In 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy “Dottie” Smith. They remained in Texas while he was working for Alcoa.

In 1962, Bill accepted a job with Arizona Public Service (APS) at Four Corners Power Plant in Farmington, New Mexico, where he and Dottie would raise their three daughters.

He continued his career with APS going from plant manager of Four Corners to plant manager of Cholla in Joseph City, Arizona. Shortly after moving to Arizona, Dottie passed away following her battle with cancer.

Billy married the love of his life, Ladon Ramsey, from Snowflake, Arizona, on Sept. 4, 1982. They celebrated the birth of their son in 1984.

Bill retired from APS in 1989.

He was very active in the community and was honored to serve as Holbrook’s mayor.

Eventually the family moved to Snowflake where Bill enjoyed playing golf every day.

For the last 20 years, Bill and Ladon have lived in Mesa, Arizona, enjoying life to the fullest.

Bill was very proud of his family. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was chasing or teasing his grandkids up until the very end.

He will be remembered for his love of family, his honesty, his work ethic, a devoted friend, and being a kind and good man.

He is survived by his wife, Ladon; two daughters, Kathy (Randy) Dennis and Keely Casaus; a son, Joshua (Melissa) Haelbig; 17 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Bill was honored at a graveside service Aug. 1 in Snowflake, Arizona. His life was celebrated by family and friends from across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.