Bill Gaddis

William "Bill" Ray Gaddis, born November 11, 1949, of Phoenix, AZ, was called home by the Lord on August 13, 2026. In the days since our Heavenly Father called him home, his family has been deeply moved by an overwhelming wave of love from every corner of his life-from lifelong friends to people the family had never even met

before, reaching out just to say how wonderful, great, and hilarious he was, or breaking down in tears remembering him. It is a true testament to the kind of man he was: someone who left a profound, warm, and unforgettable mark on everyone he met.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, to Jessie and Mamie Gaddis, the youngest of 4 siblings, Bill graduated from Carl Hayden High School before answering the call to serve his country during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army as a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) soldier with the 4th Infantry Division-a chapter of his life defined by extraordinary courage and brotherhood.

Upon returning home, he dedicated his life to service, protection, and faith. He joined the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office-where he was affectionately known by his friends and colleagues as "Scrappy"-building a legendary career and finding a true second brotherhood. A tireless advocate for his peers, he spent his free time drafting and lobbying bills to improve the lives and benefits of fellow officers, ultimately securing them a 20-year retirement. He also served as president of F.O.P. Lodge #5, where he organized events centered around bringing law enforcement families together as a community, and served as Conductor of the Arizona State F.O.P. Lodge. He eventually retired as a Lieutenant after an incredible 33 and a half years of service alongside the colleagues and friends he considered family. Not quite ready to hang

up his hat, he went on to serve as a Commander and Director at the Gila County Sheriff's Office, before embarking on a third act as a realtor at Real Living and Director at WeServ, and the Arizona Association of REALTORS, helping people find homes all across Arizona-from the cactus to the pines.

A devoted Christian and an ordained Southern Baptist minister, his faith was central to who he was. In a reflection of his deep love for his family and friends, he became a minister so he could personally officiate the marriage ceremonies for his grandchildren and dear friends, turning some of life's most sacred milestones into deeply personal, unforgettable memories.

He brought that same dedication, conviction, and integrity to everything he did. He was a man of deep faith, a loving husband, an amazing father, an adoring grandfather, a proud great-grandfather, a protector, a storyteller, a hard worker, and the anchor of his family. Above all, he shared a beautiful life and marriage with Karen. Bill met Karen while working at Durango Jail. He sent an officer down to the house she was working to tell her "Scrappy" said he was going to marry her. Karen did not know who "Scrappy" was. They were married on October 15, 1982, often joking with people that the two of them first "met in jail".

He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen; his children and their families: Christy and Jeff Schafer and their children Kevin, Lauren, Emma, and Rachel; Brian and Alissa Bowen and their children Hailey, Garret, and Brody; Julie Hill and her children Alex and Nick; and Cody and Suzanne Gaddis and their children Hayden and Cierra; his 3 great-grandchildren; and countless friends and colleagues who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents Jessie and Mamie Gaddis, brother Art, sister Shirley, and brother Sam.

The loss of his guiding presence has left his family with unimaginably heavy hearts, mourning the departure of their bedrock and foundation - or their "paterfamilias", as he so fittingly would have said.