Obituary of William Eugene Jungen

William "Bill" Eugene Jungen, 83, of Tucson, AZ, passed away at 8:00AM on April 6, 2021, at home surrounded by the love of his family.

Bill was born to Michael Nicholas (d. 1984) and Josephine Ida Jungen (d. 1988), on December 16, 1937 in Dubuque, Iowa. Bill enjoyed the love of his siblings: his partner in crime, Ruth Ann Bragg (Donald) of Prescott, AZ; and his twin-by-a-different-year, Jean Ann Fisher (Marcus [d. 2017]) of Pinehurst, North Carolina. Michael and Josephine moved the family from Iowa to Sahuarita, Arizona in the early-1950’s. Bill graduated from Tucson HS in 1956 and attended the University of Arizona.

On March 13, 1959, Bill’s machinist friend, Gerard, arranged for Bill to take his daughter, Betty, on a Coke date. Betty and Bill were immediately smitten with each other, and on Nov. 26, 1959 they were married at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Tucson. Those who know Bill can recount innumerable times he would enjoy retelling with great joy the story of meeting Betty Lou. Often times the short form in greeting his children would be, “i’m great! Wanna know Why? …because I have your gorgeous mother!” Just this past Thanksgiving Day, the couple celebrated their 61st Anniversary in the very same church with their five children, grandchildren, spouses and significant others. While Betty passed away less than a month after that wonderful day, Bill treasured the memories of that joyous Thanksgiving Day celebration through his remaining days, and it will be the source of lasting happy memories for the family.

Bill was recently preceded in death by his “Gorgeous” Betty Lou, and is survived by their five children: Janet Lee Cline (Mike) of Sierra Vista, AZ; William Dwaine Jungen (Carolyn) of Tucson, AZ; Michael Gerard Jungen (Fhanor Lenis) of Belle Isle, FL; Jacalyn Kay Livingstone (Ralph) of Lake LA, CA; and Julie Ann Alvira (Ruben) of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by his two siblings: Ruth Ann and Jean Ann, as well as nine grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Michael Livingstone (Molly Liles); Kirsten Myhres (Tyson); Alton Livingstone (Victoria); Anna Livingstone; Aimee Alvira (Sam Kinslow); Alex Alvira; Jason Livingstone; Jaclyn Hughes (Mike); and Ryan Cline (Tiffany); great-grandson Mykyl Jungen (Graycie); and seven step-great-grandchildren: Lauren, Aubrey, Trevor, MacKenna, Parker, Kyla, and Autumn.

Bill loved being with “Gorgeous” Betty Lou, and there was never a day that he did not celebrate how lucky he was to share her love and presence in his life. The two traveled the world after Bill retired from Tucson Electric Power - sometimes for their business, Fleet Solutions Inc., sometimes chasing the AZ Wild Cats, sometimes cruising the oceans, but most often to celebrate life with family and friends.

Their Catholic Faith was central in Bill and Betty’s life. Long time members of Our Mother of Sorrows parish in Tucson, Bill was a key member of the Building Committee responsible for construction of the new (current) church, and Bill and Betty were honored to be inducted into the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

Visitation for family will be from 8:00 - 9:00 AM and general visitation from 9:00 - 10:00 AM on Monday, April 12, 2021 at Bring's Broadway Chapel 6910 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson. Family and friends are welcome to visit; however, capacity is limited to 20 people at any time due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Also on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 11:00 AM a Rosary will immediately precede the Mass of Christian Burial which will be offered at 11:30 AM - both at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church 1800 South Kolb Road, Tucson. Burial to follow at 1:00 PM at Our Lady of The Desert Cemetery, Tucson, where Bill will be laid to rest with Betty Lou."