Bill Salsman

Obituary of Bill Eugene Salsman

Salsman, Bill Eugene

 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bill Salsman, on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at the age of 90.  Bill was born in Springfield, MO, on November 2, 1930, and graduated from Niangua High School in 1948.  He married Norma Dunkin on April 2, 1949, after which he and Norma moved to Bettendorf, Iowa, where Bill worked for the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA). Bill’s career at ALCOA was interrupted when he was drafted and served in the Army during the Korean War from 1952-53, rising to the rank of sergeant.  He then returned to ALCOA, where he worked a total of 35 years before retiring as the traffic coordinator in charge of the plant’s shipments to customers.  After retiring, Bill and Norma moved to Sun City West, AZ, where they lived for 35 years, before moving to Tucson, AZ, in 2017 to be near their oldest daughter, Debbie.

 

Bill is survived by his wife of 71 years, Norma, two daughters: Debbie (Mark) Harris and Patricia (Michael) Coury; 5 grandchildren (Stacy Spencer, Ryan Harris, Amy Danson, Justin Coury and Matthew Coury); and 2 great-grandchildren (Lincoln and Abigail Spencer).  He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Reginna Salsman; his brother Raymond Salsman, and his sister Betty (Salsman) Miller.

 

Bill and Norma were always active members in their local church, including Grand Community Baptist Church in Surprise, AZ. In Bill’s younger years, he built over 10 houses in his off-duty hours while still working full-time at ALCOA. After retiring, Bill took it a bit easier and became an avid golfer. Later, he volunteered in the Sun City West Sheriff’s Posse, where he served for 9 years.  He then spent several years working for the University of Arizona’s Sundome Theatre in Sun City West, first as a chauffeur, picking up stars such as Debbie Reynolds, George Burns and Red Skelton at the airport, and then as the head of the Sundome’s facility maintenance.  As his final and favorite retirement job, Bill enjoyed selling golf cart tires for S&S Tire, spending many years traveling to golf courses around Phoenix, Tucson and southern Arizona and making new friends.  

 

Bill was a people person who was well known for his sense of humor. No matter what the occasion or who he was with, Bill had a joke or fun story to share with his friends and family.  He loved cars, especially new ones, and took great pride in his many vehicles over the years, performing much of the maintenance himself.  He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, exploring the west, spending time with his friends and family, playing cards and tile rummy, and working jigsaw puzzles. 

 

A service will be held on January 6th in Tucson, AZ, with burial in the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Marana, AZ, on January 7th.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association.

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Thursday
7
January

Graveside Service

10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at Marana
15950 North Luckett Road
Marana, Arizona, United States
(520) 638-4869
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