Lester Nelson Wilmarth

LESTER NELSON WILMARTH Lester N. Wilmarth, 93, a 42-year resident of Sierra Vista, Ariz. passed away Sunday, December 6, 2009. Les was born July 30, 1916, in Center, Colo., to Sidney S. and Dora V. Wilmarth. Les loved to tinker with his computer and ham radio. He was an avid AZ Diamondback fan and a supporter of U of A athletics. Les served his country in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a Lt. Colonel. He also worked 11 years in civil service. Les is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ila Mae Wilmarth of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; daughters, Lee (Monty) Gosney, Lyn Hart (Jim Warner); a special granddaughter, Denise (Luis) Valle; four grandsons, Omar (OJ) (Sadie Robinson) Gonzales, Brad Gonzales, Randy Gonzales, Doug Dutton; two granddaughters, Debbie Martin and DeeDee Stevens; and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Eddie, his parents, two brothers and a sister. A visitation will be held 4-5:00 PM on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at Jensen's Sierra Vista Mortuary, 5515 S. Hwy 92. Graveside Service with military honors will be held 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1300 Buffalo Soldiers Trail. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Les' memory to American Cancer Society Memorials, 1636 N. Swan, Ste. 151, Tucson, AZ 85712.