Dallas Willard Guttery

Dallas “Willard” Guttery, a lifelong Holbrook resident, died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, January 23rd. Willard was born on May 23, 1929 in Winslow, Arizona to Holbrook businessman Dallas Willard Guttery, Sr. and his wife Goldie Pearl Guttery. He was an only child.   Willard enjoyed growing up in Holbrook. In his own words, “summer was a wonderful time and I remember that starting as soon as school let out and until it started again, I never wore more than a pair of jeans. No shoes or shirt.” As a young boy, he enjoyed being outdoors with his friends and cars. In high school, he participated in sports, played the clarinet, and was the President of the Holbrook High School Marching Band. He graduated from Holbrook High School in 1947.   Willard attended college at Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona. While at U of A he asked to be drafted into the Army. He served honorably in the 7th Infantry Division of the Korean War where he was an intelligence photo interpreter near the 38th parallel. In his own words, “the military taught me to appreciate what I had and gave me an understanding of discipline.” Shortly after serving, he returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Ordene Randall. They were happily married for 65 years and enjoyed raising their six children. From an early age, Willard had an entrepreneurial spirit. His first venture, a kite business, was started with a neighborhood friend. Little did he know that his future would involve many successful ventures, including a Texaco gasoline station, a vending and lunch wagon business, the Jiffy Market convenience store, the Jiffy Coin Laundry, and Guttery Realty and Property Investment Group. He also served on the Northland Pioneer College governing board, managed the schools nine book stores, and taught Real Estate classes.   Willard was very involved in the Holbrook community. He was a volunteer firefighter for 25 years. He was also involved in the Holbrook chapters of Kiwanis International and Elks Lodge.   He served on the Holbrook City Council for ten years with four years as the Mayor of Holbrook. He also served two years on the Navajo County Board of Supervisors.   Willard was known for his calm demeanor, wisdom, integrity and humor. He was deeply loved by his family, friends, and the Holbrook community.   Willard is survived by his loving wife Ordene. He wrote about his love for, and marriage to Ordene, “this was without any doubt the most wonderful and important time of my life”. Willard leaves a legacy in his six children; Catherine Ann Haws, Jacqueline Kay Hatch, Karen Sue Hatch, John Dallas Guttery, William Randall Guttery, and Carole Lyn Steiner who have blessed him with 22 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.   Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the Holbrook LDS Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1127 Helen Ave., with a viewing 1 hour prior. Burial will follow immediately at the Holbrook Cemetery.