in memoriam
expanded eulogies
“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.
Paul Wiest
Paul David Wiest was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, on September 1, 1949, to William D. and Bonnie Jean Wiest, the middle of three boys.
After high school, Paul served his country at the White House and the Pentagon during the Vietnam War.
After military service, Paul graduated from Thomas Aquinas College in Grand Rapids with a degree in business.
Paul spent his working years as a CPA and then in management of various companies from California to Michigan to Texas.
It was in 1996 in Wichita Falls, Texas, that Paul and Shelley met after being introduced by mutual friends. They married in 1999 and moved to Phoenix in 2000.
Paul was transferred to Arizona as Division President of Palm Harbor Homes in Casa Grande. After his retirement there, Paul created and helped Shelley to run a wonderful harp business.
After a courageous and long battle with cancer, Paul passed away on July 30, 2016.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Cindy. Paul is lovingly survived by his wife Shelley of the home; daughter Reneé Wells and her husband Jeff of Lewisville, Texas; granddaughters Ashley Hoff of Tucson, Arizona; Jenna Wells and Jadyn Wells of Lewisville, Texas; daughter Michelle Young and her husband Jerry of Maricopa, Arizona; step-daughter Avery Archambo and her husband Ryan Whisler of the Washington D.C. area; step-son Brady Archambo and his wife Natalie of San Francisco, California; brother George Wiest and wife Tarja of Kelso, Washington; brother Jack and wife Diane of Zeeland, Michigan; mother-in-law Bettie Batt of Marion; and his doggie Tank.
Paul may be remembered as a kind, patient, generous, loving, and God-fearing man who was genuinely devoted to his family.
Paul never met a stranger and made each person with whom he came in contact feel as though they were the most special person in the world.
He never complained during the course of his illness and faced death with a positive attitude, courage, and the utmost of bravery. Paul fully embraced life until the very last moment and was an encouragement to all whom he met.
Paul was also very bold in sharing with others his personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Christian Memorial Service to honor the life of Paul D. Wiest will be held Thursday, August 4, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Desert Foothills United Methodist Church in Phoenix. To be announced at a later time, a graveside burial service will be held in Shelley Wiest’s hometown of Marion.
A Memorial Fund has been set up in Paul’s name at Desert Foothills UMC.