Billy Rubash

Billy Ray Rubash was born to Art and Babe Rubash on August 20, 1938 in Wickenburg, Arizona. He grew up in Wickenburg graduating from Wickenburg High School in 1956. Billy served in the Unites States Navy aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Shangri-la from 1957-1961 and was honorably discharged in 1961 at the rank of Radioman 3rd Class. After the Navy he went to work for the Bell Telephone company for a brief 3 years. He then worked construction and tended bar at the American Legion in Wickenburg. In 1966 Billy worked at the nuclear test sites in Mercury, Nevada. While working at the Mercury Test Sites he purchased his second true love, his 1967 Chevelle SS 396, which he used to court his one true love, Erlene Dixon. Billy told us many a story about using the Chevelle's power and speed to return to his love Erlene week after week. Billy and Erlene married in 1967. Billy went back to work for the Bell Telephone Company, starting as a Lineman in 1967. He later became a building industry consultant, line supervisor and eventually retired from then U.S West as a manager in 1990. Billy and Erlene took full advantage of their retirement. He was an avid golfer, playing every Tuesday with a group of close friends who called themselves " The Senior Senior Tour". He and Erlene enjoyed touring classic car shows throughout the state of Arizona with their 1967 Chevelle, sharing it's crucial role in their rare and deep love story of over 50 years. The times that brought him some of his greatest joys were simply spent being Grandpa. Billy fought several difficult health battles over the last 3 years, causing many of us to revel at his scientifically confirmed thick head and stubborn constitution. Billy died peacefully on January 24, 2017, at Thunderbird Hospital in Glendale, Arizona, of complications from pneumonia. He is survived by his mother Babe Rubash (93); wife, Erlene and their 3 children Troy Rubash, Tracy (Rubash) Land and Billy Rubash; his siblings Bobby Rubash, Wilma Burnham, Myrna Wyse and Jimmy Rubash, his 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Please join us as we celebrate Billy's life on February 18, 2017 at 11:00 in the morning at the First Presbyterian Church in Wickenburg, Arizona, 180 N Adams St, Wickenburg, AZ 85390.