Elwood "Woodie" Russel Peterson

Elwood “Woodie” Russel Peterson, age 89 of Snowflake, AZ passed away July 27, 2021 in his home of natural causes. Woodie was born January 29, 1932 in Snowflake.

He spent his first few years in Lakeside, but moved to Snowflake when he was 11. He attended Snowflake High School and graduated in 1950. After his senior year he attended Benson Radio and Television Institute in Albuquerque, but it turned out to be a bust, so six months later, he returned to Snowflake where he received a mission call for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to serve in Sweden. He served honorably for 30 months. He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many callings. He was an effortless missionary. He loved people and always looked for ways to serve them. He made everyone he met feel special and looked for the good in others. Woodie has never met a stranger. He was drafted into the army in 1955 and served for 2 years, the last year in Japan. He was
discharged and went to work for the railroad but was laid off and decided to attend Brigham Young University. There, he met the love of his life, Beth Bunnell, in an Achieving Success in Marriage Class. They were married September 21, 1959 in the Logan, UT temple. They stayed
in Provo for 3 years, until he graduated with a degree from BYU in Construction Technology. They returned to Snowflake where Woodie took a job as a deputy sheriff for Navajo County. He worked there for 10 years and loved being a police officer. In 1973, he took a position as the wood shop teacher at Snowflake High School where he was able to hone and teach his wood-working skills. He always worked extra jobs doing carpentry work and building houses.

His family meant everything to him. He and Beth had 9 children, and he loved attending all of their activities. He worked hard to provide for them. He struggled with health challenges, and as a result, used his iron will and grit to change his lifestyle and diet to keep himself healthy and strong, so he could be around to see his children grow up, which we are all profoundly grateful for. He was a wonderful husband and father and knew what was most important. He used to always say, “I am the richest man I know. I just don’t have any money.” He had a lifelong love of animals, especially his horses, who brought him much joy. He was active in his community, serving on the City Council and the Fine Arts Committee. He loved reading and watching “Shoot ‘em up movies” in his spare time, of which he didn’t have much. He made the world a better place and will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him, except maybe the referees he yelled, “GARBAGE CALL” at during his kids’ ball
games.

Woodie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Beth; his children Loni (David) Parker, Dallas (Brendee) Peterson, Jay Sevison, Amy (Dave) Braithwaite, Russel (Nicole) Peterson, Laurie (Todd) Furstenau, JoLynn (Dean) Wood, Mack (Monica) Peterson, Andrea (Rand) Holyoak; his siblings Marguerite (Milo) Smith, Loretta Shumway, Lorna (Bill) Estes, Clara McNeil, Dono (Margaret) Peterson, Wayne Jones, Bobby (Ken) Packer, and Helen (Steve) Bair; 55 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elwood and Lucilia Peterson; his daughter, Shannon Sevison; his siblings Dwain Peterson and Garnet Jones; His brothers-in-law Lloyd McNeil and Pete Shumway.

The Peterson family would like to thank those who have supported and helped Woodie and Beth over the past few months. A special thank you to our brother and sister, Russel and Nicole Peterson and their family, who have gone above and beyond lovingly caring for Dad these past
few years.

There will be a viewing for friends and family of Woodie on Friday, July 30th from 6 - 8 p.m. at Owens-Livingston Mortuary, 84 E 19 St. S
Snowflake, AZ. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 31st at 1 p.m. with a viewing from 12 - 12:45 p.m. at the Centennial Stake Center,
9th St. S. 2nd W., Snowflake, AZ.

There will be a graveside service and Interment at R.V. “Mike” Ramsay Cemetery in Snowflake immediately following the funeral service.