William Mortimer Sweeney

William Mortimer Sweeney, 89, a 25-year resident of Chandler, Arizona, died October 10, 2012, following a short illness at the Villa Jean Adult Care home. William was born in Brooklyn, New York to Matilda Breid and William James Sweeney, and is predeceased by his sister Mary Henry. William was married in 1952 in Boulder, Colorado to Mary Lucella Wimmer, and on September 11th, they celebrated their 60th anniversary. William earned a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Colorado, a master’s degree from Fordham University, and a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, New York. William is a military veteran, having served in the pacific theater during WWII, in the army’s 369th Harbor Craft Company, stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea. William was employed for 30 years as a scientist by Texaco Research Laboratories, in Beacon, New York. There he invented fuel additives and is attributed to over 20 patents. While residing for 35 years with his family in Wappingers Falls, NY, William enjoyed flying his Cessna at Stormville Airport, golfing, and target practice, for which he won several marksmanship awards. After retiring to Sun Lakes, he was an avid golfer and enjoyed visiting the library and health club.

William is survived by his wife, Mary, of Chandler, his daughter Patricia Neumann and her husband Robert of Philadelphia, his son Thomas Sweeney of Manchester, New Hampshire, and his daughter, Ann Mesaros and her husband Dave of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and seven grandchildren, Susan and Adam Neumann, Jamie and TJ Mesaros, and Matthew, Caroline, and Katherine Sweeney. A memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, November 20, at 10:00 am at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Sun Lakes, following which William will be interred at the Valley of the Sun’s Mortuary in Chandler. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in William’s memory.