William Crosby Conger

William “Bill” Crosby Conger, 96, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away June 23, 2025. Bill and his identical twin brother Sidney were born April 10, 1929 in East Orange, NJ to Stephen Crawford Conger and Alice Crosby.

Bill attended Trenton high school in New Jersey and graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania with a degree in geology. After graduation, he took a train to Morenci, Arizona where he began his career as a geologist with Phelps Dodge Corporation.

Bill married Joan Louise Ambelang on June 6, 1953 and they recently celebrated their 72nd anniversary. He worked in the copper mining industry for 43 years, including time as a geologist, ore control engineer, labor relations assistant, employee relations representative, and employment and benefits supervisor. Bill and Joan raised three children, Bruce, Carol, and Stephen, in Morenci. He was an avid runner and speed-walker for many decades. Bill was known for his beautiful tenor voice and sang in his college choir, in his churches' choirs and sang solos at many events over the years. It was his interest in the history of the Morenci area that made him an unofficial historian. He did many “history talks” for different groups within the Phelps Dodge Corporation as well as other organizations. It was in this capacity that he also co-wrote three books with his friend Ted Cogut about the history of mining in the Morenci-Clifton district and many of the people in the area. Prior to his retirement, Bill and Joan moved to Thatcher Arizona and lived there until 2011 when they relocated to the Phoenix area to be nearer to their daughter, Carol.

Mr Conger held several volunteer offices over the years including chairman of the Morenci Section of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, president of the Greenlee County Historical Society, board member of the Greenlee County Chamber of Commerce, secretary, president of the Clifton-Morenci Rotary Club, and was very involved with the Red Cross, the Boy Scouts, and the Presbyterian churches in Morenci and Safford.

Survivors include Bill’s wife, Joan, and their three children, Bruce (Susan Piotrowski) of Friendswood, Texas; Carol (Ted Carlson) of Mesa, Arizona; and Stephen (Mary) of Middletown, New Jersey. Additional survivors are ten grandchildren: Rene, Ramiro, Elizabeth, Julia, Katie, Brian, Sarah, Hannah, Rachel, and Emilie; eight great-grandchildren: Carson, Avery, Canaan, Emery, Finley, Oren, Arthur, and Elliana; and sister Dee Roush of Westminster, Maryland. William was preceded in death by his parents and twin brother, Sidney.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Bill's honor on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 2:00pm at Mariposa Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery; 6747 E. Broadway Road Mesa, Arizona 85206. The family welcomes you to stay for a gathering following the service to share stories.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions are made to the American Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity.