Wilma M Lewis

Wilma M. Lewis was born to William and Iris (McGinnis) Damman on February 4, 1939. She passed peacefully on Wednesday March 12, 2025 at the age of 86. Wilma was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years William “Bill” R. Lewis on December 16, 2023. They are survived by their son James William and his wife Teena Lewis of Mesa, AZ and grandchildren: Liam R. Lewis, Allison P. Perry and Troy N. Perry.

Wilma was very proud to be born and raised in Arizona. She spent her youth on the Broad Acre Ranch on the Gila River Reservation where her father farmed. She graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1956.

Wilma married William (Bill) R. Lewis on June 15, 1957 after Bill was discharged from the United States Army. Bill loved to tell the story of how he and Wilma met. “While Wilma was still in high school, Bill was out cruising Central Avenue along with all the others of that era. One night he saw a girl at the soda shop in a booth full of ‘tough guys.’ Sensing that Wilma was out of her element and needed to be rescued, he pretended to know her and asked if she was ready to go. Wilma accepted the help to get out of the situation and that was the beginning of the Bill and Wilma story.

Bill and Wilma worked together for many years building their horse ranch in “North Ahwatukee” (as Bill would call it) and starting their business. Bill was passionate about quality and craftsmanship and Wilma was quite financially minded based on her experience in banking. Together they made a great team in all their endeavors.

Wilma was proud to be known as a cowgirl. She loved raising, breeding and riding Pinto/Paint horses. In the late 60’s, 70’s and into the early 80’s she and Bill were very successful in competing in several show categories of both the Pinto Horse Association of America and the American Paint Horse Association. Their stud horse, Oakey’s Top Hand, won his grand championship in both Associations. Wilma loved teaching and sharing her expertise in horsemanship through 4-H programs. It was not unusual for groups of kids to hang out at the Lewis’s. Bill and Wilma never hesitated to take children under their wing and if they wanted to learn (and work hard) they dedicated themselves to helping these kids learn and grow.”

It was in 1982 when Bill and Wilma started their own HVAC business (HVAC Systems, Inc). Bill used to say, “Wilma’s the owner of the company, I’m just the President”. Wilma devoted hours of time managing and running all aspects of the internal workings of the company. The business was highly successful due in part to Wilma’s financial expertise and her ability to organize and plan ahead. She was tough, determined and dedicated in all that she did both in the business and on the ranch. Even though the business closed down in 1999, Wilma never really retired.

Wilma and Bill both openly cared for and loved their good friend and ranch hand Jose. He made the Bill and Wilma “story” whole and complete.

In addition to her husband William, Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mary Jean Von Pohle and Mary Jean’s husband Dr. Charles Ernest Von Pohle.