William Leonard Sawyer

William Leonard Sawyer died on October 18, 2022, after a three- year battle with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Bill, as he was better known, was born in Phoenix, Arizona on August 28, 1960 — the second of two children to William Sawyer and Joan Trauscht Sawyer.

Bill was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend who cared deeply for his family. He and his first wife Diane Sawyer had two beautiful twin daughters together, Katie and Carlie, who Bill was incredibly proud of and loved more than anything. He is survived by his parents, Joan and Bill, his wife Robin Atwood Sawyer, daughters Katie Lopez (Steve) and Carlie Sawyer and sister Debbie Rolan (Richard). He is also survived by his niece Laura Cole (Derek) and her two children, nephew Andrew Rolan and stepchildren Nick Barnhart, Brittany Cloutier, Benjamin Herrick, Adam Laakso, Shelby Laakso and eight grandchildren.

In his childhood he was known as Billy; he grew up in Chandler, AZ before moving to Scottsdale, AZ where he graduated from Saguaro High School and then went on to graduate from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. There, he further developed a passion for skiing with his best friend, William Madden — the two Billys were thick-as-thieves for 48 years. Bill proudly owned and operated the Sawyer Cattle Company (previously Maricopa Cattle Company). He also enjoyed racing his horses he owned, which competed at Turf Paradise in Phoenix. Bill appreciated traveling and later in life got his pilot’s license, and he loved to fly his plane to the White Mountains. There, he especially enjoyed spending his leisure time in the great outdoors skiing, golfing and having a good laugh with friends and family over a great meal.

Bill was diagnosed with ALS in spring 2019 but did not let the disease prevent him from making the most of every second of life. After his diagnosis, he married his longtime love Robin, who supported and loved him through all of the highs and lows. He took Robin and his girls on a trip to Italy and made sure to maximize his time and physical abilities while he could. Bill had a great sense of humor and even found ways to crack jokes and make others smile while he battled ALS. He was well-liked by everyone who met him, even extending to the nurses at Hospice of the Valley and Hospice of Valley Dobson House who cared for him through the end of his disease.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held Saturday, November 5 at 12:00 p.m.

Contributions in William's memory may be made to Walk to defeat ALS, https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/TR/Walks/Arizona?px=8672960&pg=personal&fr_id=14966.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ALMoore-Grimshaw.com for the Sawyer family.