William B. (Barney) Barnett

William B. (Barney) Barnett, 93, of Fountain Hills passed away on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 at his home in the Fountain View Village, just days short of his 94th birthday.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth; sons, Scott, Martin (Mary) and Ross; grandson, Chad and niece, Georgia Ann.

Barney was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend to all who met him, making many friends in life through his outgoing gregarious nature and master joke-telling.

Barney was born on Aug. 18, 1922 in Beloit, Wis. to Beauford and Ruth Barnett, the first of two children (Dorothy). After high school, Barney entered the US Navy in 1940 and served until 1945 in the Pacific Theatre of operations during WWII aboard several ships. He was a proud Navy WWII Veteran and was active in the Local VFW Chapter 7507 in Fountain Hills.

After the war, Barney spent a short time in Texas before settling in Madison, Wis. and then Mason City, Iowa where he was a division manager at Sears and Roebuck and worked at KGLO TV.

Barney was active in many organizations: he was a 32nd Degree Mason, El Kahir Shriner, Boy Scout Scoutmaster, Silver Beaver Lifetime Scouting Achievement award, Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, Toastmaster, church usher and Sunday School teacher.

Barney was also a fisherman, golfer (two holes-in-one), master joke-teller and pheasant hunter. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. with interment of ashes to follow in the church garden wall.

The family asks any contributions be made in Barney’s name to: VFW Post 7507, 9624 N. Monterey Dr. Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. The family would also like to thank the staff at Fountain View Village for their loving care of Barney over the last 16 months.