Charles William Hilyard Fassbinder

Charles William Fassbinder, who in his younger years was known as Charles Hilyard, died on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the Freeland Manor Assisted Living in Snowflake, Arizona following a lengthy illness. He was 78 years old.  Charles was born on a Wednesday, July 7, 1937, in Los Angeles, California to his parents, the late Charles Nelson and Helen Margaret (Hilyard) Fassbinder.  Charles had 2 brothers:  Dennis Robert Cherry, Samuel Allred and 1 sister, Jean Allred.  Charles was a graduate of Los Angeles High School in California.  He worked for Calportland Cement in Mojave, California, where he lived for several years.  Charles was a millwright by trade and was well versed in all things mechanical.  He worked for many years in the logging industry in Flagstaff, Springerville, and McNary, Arizona as a millwright. He retired in his sixties as a truck driver. Charles was a huge gun enthusiast and had a very impressive collection of them.  He loved to go shooting with his son, not only for the shooting experience, but also for strengthening an everlasting bond that the two shared.  He also loved his Harley Davidson Motorcycles and knew just about everything there was to know about them.  In his younger years, Charles loved taking them out for rides on the open roads.  He was a man who appreciated life in all its forms and had a great love for all of animals, both, in the wild and at his home.Many will miss the quiet goodness of this man and the gentle acts of kindness he performed for them over the years.  None, however, will miss him more than those he loved the most...his family.  Charles is survived by his wife, Mary Mae Hilyard of Chambers, Arizona; son, Vince Hilyard of Mesa, Arizona; stepdaughter, Judy Ann Roanhorse of Cottonwood, Arizona; 3 grandchildren:  Brad (Christina) Hilyard of Mesa, Arizona, Selah Hilyard of Mesa, Arizona and Eugene Byrd of Guam.At this time, no public services are planned, however, a private family service will take place, sometime in the future, at the family plot in Chambers, Arizona.