Francis William Farmer Jr. “Bill”, passed away on March 2, 2022 surrounded by his family. He was born on November 11, 1945 to his parents Rosemary Farmer and Bill Farmer, in Phoenix, AZ. He was a third generation Arizonan. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Suzanne Ferguson Farmer, two daughters Sara Farmer, Elizabeth Farmer Gardemann (Chad), grandchildren, Landry and Bennett. Siblings Linda Farmer Bones, Dan Farmer & Jim Farmer (Judy), Nephews Bill Bones (Cinnaree) & Christopher Bones (Ashley)
Bill is preceded in death by his parents Bill Farmer Sr. & Rosemary Ammons Farmer.
Bill was in the first graduating class at Arcadia High school in 1963. He was drafted by the army to the Vietnam war where he was stationed in Germany. He graduated with a Zoology Degree from Arizona State University. He then earned a Business Degree from Pace University in New York. He worked for Arizona Bank and then decided on starting Arizona Home Loans where he was one of the first Mortgage Brokers in town.
A life well lived cannot be measured by health, wealth or accomplishments, but rather by the effect you have on the lives of others. All who knew Bill could always count on his frankness, his unrelenting directness, his ability to speak candidly sometimes with a bit of an edge, and his unbridled sense of humor. Above all, Bill was open and sincere as evidenced by his willingness to welcome others into his home with open arms. When others talked, Bill listened, and consequently when Bill talked, others listened. He shared himself openly finding joy in the small pleasures of life like going to the post office to pick up mail, actually going inside the bank where people knew him, and appreciating a lunch of bean burro no cheese, at a local hangout almost more than a meal at an “overpriced” restaurant. Above all, he loved his family more than life itself and to him, they were his greatest joy and his life’s true treasure. For almost 50 years through thick and thin, Suzanne was by his side as his wife, his confidant, travel companion, chief cook and bottle washer and above all his source of unconditional love. When he needed her, she was there. When she needed him, he was there. They stood fiercely side-by-side and faced the future together. Now, as we face our future without our sacred friend, we rejoice in the effect his life has had on us as we learn to be a little more honest, a little more candid, and a lot more generous with our time and our stories.
Funeral services will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley, AZ at 10:00AM on Thursday, March 10, 2022. There will be a reception immediately following the service at Paradise Valley Country Club. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Arizona Humane Society,1521 W. Dobbins Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85041, azhumane.org or Sage Hospice, 5111 N. Scottsdale Road Suite 204, Scottsdale, AZ 85250.
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Posey Moore Nash
You can never go wrong with a good bean burro…
God bless you all on the loss of such a fine fine man.
Linda Boerwinkle
Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
xoxo
Linda
Tom Keys
Hi Suzanne.
I was so sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. He was such a sweet guy. It seems only yesterday that we were chasing each other around the hilltop towns of Tuscany!
Our heart and prayers go out to you and family
Please keep in touch.
Gayle Paulus
Thinking of you as you celebrate “Mr Farmer” Lizzie spoke so fondly of him and I loved hearing stories of my grandchildren’s visits to “The Farmers”. My love and hugs to you all. Sara, I so wish we could be with but you are in our hearts.
Kaeli (Thomason) Smith
Every time I thought of Bill Farmer a man of great kindness, love of life and joy of his family always came to mind. God rest his beautiful soul.
Stephanie Kinney
Thoughts and Prayers to you all!
Steph, Riley, and Erica Kinney
Shanni (Stamper) Thomas
Dear Suzanne and girls,
I had the privilege of meeting Bill (and Sue) when I was on Rotary Exchange all those years ago. I fondly remember Bill’s kindness and his interest in all of us exchange students and our countries, interests etc. Sending you all a big South African hug and thinking of you at this sad time. May he rest in peace and May all the memories you created together comfort you in this time.
Nicolas Bogaerts
Dear Suzanne, Sara and Elizabeth
Time has ran like water under the bridge but it could not dim the affection and gratefulness I feel for having the chance to have met Bill, and getting to know you as a family and individuals. I feel so sorry and sad for your immeasurable loss. I also can’t help but feel the warm light, humor, intelligence, wit, kindness and generosity Bill spread as everyday gifts around those he loved. And it is not only a memory to cherish, but a piece of miracle that makes my own heart beat with so much love and thankfulness towards him. He always has been a part of our 1991-1992 Exchange Students crazy gang, watching and caring for us, not too far, and taking part in many adventures with us. And all 3 of you, for sure, whenever you made time available. Which is on ever single occasion. The bond he created with Berti, our soul sister, and many others, including me, is a treasure we all cherish to this day. I have a special memory in my heart for his always kind moustache’y smile and encouraging words: he had some kind of special gift to see the best in everyone and to say it out loud. In Belgium, where I grew up, we have a saying to express gratitude for strong background and backbone. I’ll just try and say it this way :
“We all need a Bill Farmer in our lives. And, thank God, I had a Bill Farmer in mine.”
I send you prayers, gentle hugs and lots of love.
Always truthfully yours,
Nick
Katherine Braun-Anderson
Dear Suzanne,
I was so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Though I never had the pleasure of knowing him, the description of him by others tells me that you and the world have lost a very special person.
Dennis Blair
Suzanne,
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I would see him regularly at Carolina’s eating his bean burro. Thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Dennis
JAN A SELL
Suzanne, I was so glad you called so I could see Bill one more time. We had so many good times together. We always enjoyed each others company sharing meals, road trips, family vacations etc. I especially enjoyed our family ski trips together. Bill had a way about him that is hard to describe and cannot be replaced. He will be deeply missed. All of the messages above does not even begin to express what Bill meant to all those that had blessing to have been part of his life. Jan
JoEllen Feltham
Dearest Suzanne and family,
Oh what gay times we had–beginning at AZ Bank and seeing you at White mountain and attending so many of your fabulous parties. What a joy to know Bill. Suzanne, we hope you have great peace in knowing how much Bill loved his family–and how much he enjoyed making you laugh at his satire and humor–we all enjoyed his love for life. His energy was contagious. Love, Jim and JoEllen Feltham
Lisa Hill
Bill was such a delightful personable person. His bright eyes and beautiful smile will stay in my memory of him.
Sending condolences, prayers and peace to all of your family.
Jane Stoss
To Suzanne and family
We were so sorry to hear of Bill’’s passing.
Bill was such a fun and delightful man and he will be missed.
Our prayers for comfort and peace.
Blessings
Jane and John Stoss