William L Tharp

He was born in Mena, Arkansas and moved to Arizona as a kid; where he later met his wife of 64 years, Cathryn. He became a minister in 1959 he pastured several churches in his 60+ years of ministry from Arizona to Idaho. Not only did he Pastor, but he worked as a chef since 16 years old until his senior years he became shoe shiner at Briarwood Country Club. For his free time he enjoyed watching baseball. Fishing up north and listening to his boys and family play music. He was known to several as “The Arizona Cowboy.”

He was survived by his wife, Cathryn (Barnes) Tharp and their son Darrell Tharp with Gail (Smith) Tharp and grandkids Robbie Schumaker, Jeremy Schumaker with granddaughter Novella. Their son Buddy Tharp with Kim (Brooks) Tharp and grandkids Tosha (Tharp) Gaitanis & Brian Gaitanis and great-grandkids Lyla & Caleb. Grandkids, Josh Tharp & Angela (Personeni) Tharp & great-grandson Jessie. Their son Tommy Tharp with Chris. Their son Hank Tharp with Laura (Moore) Tharp & their grandkids Andrew Tharp (deceased, 2013) with Kellie (Howard) Tharp (now Maynard) and their great-granddauther Riann Tharp, grandson Justin Maynard and their great-grandkids Aria & Mila, grandkids Kayla Tharp, Candace (Tharp) Dye & Garret Dye and their great-grandkids Paislee & Archer; grandkids Benjamin Tharp & Jammeelah (Coit-Thiele) Tharp and great-grandkids Juniper & Iylah.

He was preceded by his father Elmer Tharp, mother Bertha (Ellison) Tharp, brothers; Terry Tharp, Johnny Tharp, Ishmael Tharp and sisters; Saundra (Tharp) Scott, Wanda Tharp.