Earl Lloyd Wilford

EARL LLOYD WILFORD, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home in Tucson, Arizona on May 14, 2017 after a valiant battle against cancer. Earl was born in Oakley, Kansas to Lloyd and Arloah Wilford. Earl graduated from Tucson High School in 1953. He began as a journeyman bricklayer and stonemason with his family business, Wilford Construction Co., while still in high school. He became general manager in 1961 and subsequently an owner of the company, working full-time until shortly before his death. Earl was a real estate broker, a member of the National, Arizona State and Tucson Associations of Realtors, a member of the local and national Chambers of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona. Earl was an active member of the Tucson community through his association with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Tucson Lodge No. 385 of which he became a member in 1968. Earl was recognized for his abilities and dedication to the Elks Association, proudly serving on numerous committees at the district, state and national levels, including as State President of the Arizona Elks Association, President of the Arizona Elks Association’s State Major Projects (sponsoring research at the University of Arizona’s Steele Children’s Research Center and Arizona Elks Youth Camp that both benefit children throughout the state with the “Cherish Children” motto) and culminating in his election in 2011 to the office of Grand Esteemed Leading Knight of the National B.P.O.E. His record of dedicated service to his community, profession and the Elks was matched only by his dedication and devotion to his wife Lois of 35 years, his three daughters, Becky Page (Ed), Cindy Perez (Larry) and Lori Munday (Greg), his six grandchildren, Amber and Eric Page (Ashley), Ian and Paul Perez, Jason and Ryan Munday, and two great grandchildren, Chase and Layken Page. He is also survived by his brother, Raymond Wilford, and sisters, Janice Hodges (Tom), Adeline Delfs (Bob) and Jackie Bays (Lee) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was loved and respected and will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. Services to honor Earl’s life will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 7575 N. Paseo Del Norte in Tucson, followed by a graveside service at East Lawn Palms Cemetery at 5801 East Grant Road in Tucson. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Arizona Elks Major Projects at P.O. Box 12668, Tucson, Arizona 85732-2668.