Wallace Phelps Wilkins

A celebration of life will for Phelps Wilkins will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at the Round Valley School Auditorium, Eagar, Arizona.

Phelps was born February 9, 1940 at his parent’s home in Springerville, Arizona at the time when there was no hospital in Springerville. He died, Friday, June 14, 2024.

Phelps received his early education in Springerville and Eagar, later receiving a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree and doctorate in education from Arizona State University. After a few years of teaching, Phelps became an elementary school principal in the Mesa, Arizona school district. He continued in that position for approximately 30 years. He had intended to move on to other positions in education, but after 3 years as principal he declared that he loved that job and planned on remaining a principal. He served as principal of multiple elementary schools in Mesa and loved the job until he retired in 2002.

Phelps’ survivors include his wife, Kay, sons, Wally Wilkins, Kent Wilkins, Bill Coleman, brothers, Stuart Wilkins, Jerry Wilkins, sister, Charlotte Deets, many grandchildren, a great grandson and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents James Wallace Wilkins and Genevieve Phelps Wilkins and daughter, Rochelle Wilkins.

After retirement Phelps and Kay returned to Springerville where they continued to reside. Phelps served on the Springerville Town Council and also spearheaded the restoration of the old Springerville School which became the Springerville Heritage Center, a jewel of the area consisting of several museums and room for use by the local community.

Phelps was a master of many, many things. His family said he could build anything, repair anything and learn to do anything he set his mind to. Despite all that, Phelps was a quiet, unassuming man.

In addition to his family and friends, Phelps had so many loves including: working in his shop on one of his many building projects, listening to music of all kinds, photography and helping someone in need and spreading kindness everywhere. He never stopped looking for activities he could help develop in the Eagar/Springerville area which could further educate and stimulate his and other people’s interest in intellectual pursuits.

In his 84 years of life, Phelps helped an unknown, but very large number of people; what he did changed lives. In reference to Phelps, the statement “He was the soul of kindness” is not a cliché.

If you prefer to make a donation rather than flowers, you can make a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Round Valley.