William “Bill” McVicars

William “Bill” McVicars passed away on Monday, 11/2/2026, at the age of 85 in Mesa, AZ, leaving behind a life filled with family, devotion, craftsmanship, and adventure. Bill was born to Teresa and William McVicars in Anaconda, MT, on August 12, 1941. He was the oldest child of three and attended Catholic school throughout his youth in Montana. He was a journeyman electrician for much of his career, with brief altered career paths, such as a business owner and a real estate agent.

Bill was a devoted husband and father. While working as an electrician in Montana he met his wife Carol (Buffington) McVicars in 1967. True to his independent spirit, Bill was not superstitious and asked Carol to marry him on a Friday the 13th in October of that year. They were married June 1, 1968.

They soon began their family. Their first born, Christine Broberg, arrived in March of 1969, followed 3 years later by their 2nd born, Mary Heckel. Bill loved to take the family camping and fishing in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. In 1976 he moved the family to northern Minnesota, settling down in Chisholm. It was there in 1979 that Bill found sobriety. He was deeply proud of his 47 years of sobriety, enjoyed attending a speaker meeting, and carrying a sobriety coin to keep in his pocket.

Bill was always willing to work on his daughters’ cars, saving them from expensive repair bills by replacing parts himself - even at sub-zero temperatures in northern Minnesota.

His grandchildren, Matthew and Melissa, arrived in the early 2000’s, making life even more complete. Bill loved them with all his heart – and loved being included in every part of their lives. He would also take them camping and fishing, like he did with his daughters. In the early 2000’s, they moved from northern Minnesota to River Falls, Wisconsin, allowing plenty of time with the grandchildren who only lived 30 minutes away.

Bill was an avid woodworker. He created beautiful furniture for his home, and later did cabinetry in both his own home and his daughter’s home. When he was briefly in Colorado for a year of work, he equipped his apartment with small tools and began making doll house furniture. That summer, the whole family started making lawn decorations, so this required a large scroll saw and plenty of paint. When in Wisconsin, Bill later discovered pen turning and pen making then became a beloved family hobby.

He also enjoyed radio club. When in the Midwest his club supported local events like cross-country ski racing and bike races. He also loved joining as a storm chaser.

Once in retirement, Bill enjoyed taking Carol around the country with their timeshare and their RV. They would hike in Sedona, cross-country ski or snowshoe when back in Wisconsin, and take in many shows in Branson.

After Carol retired, they began wintering in Arizona and work-camping. Bill enjoyed the weather so much that he sold the home in Wisconsin and they became year-round residents in Arizona. He was overjoyed with how his grandchildren continued to visit him, even after moving with Carol to Mesa, AZ, despite their busy young adult lives.

Bill enjoyed showing our country to his wife, taking a last big RV trip in 2024, crisscrossing from Arizona to the Pacific Ocean and then to the Atlantic Ocean.

He is survived by his wife Carol McVicars, daughters Christine (Steve) Broberg and Mary (Larry) Heckel, grandchildren Matthew Broberg and Melissa Broberg, Brother Robert (Sue) McVicars, sister Kathleen Loftus, nephew Robert (Kate) McVicars, nieces Ann Loftus, Laura (Toby) Loftus. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his niece Michelle Richter.

Funeral Services are yet to be finalized, with family expecting they will occur in early 2027.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.