William Davis Mitchell Jr. (Rusty) of San Tan Valley, AZ, passed away March 12, 2025, at the age of 69 years old. He was born in Broken Arrow, OK, on August 4, 1955. He resided in San Tan Valley, AZ, with his loving wife, Sharon Mitchell, to whom he was married for 51 years.
Rusty had many qualities of being a hard-working man. He was a jack of all trades and always loved working on home projects by himself, such as building an outdoor fireplace or courtyard ledge, as well as landscape pavers or just designing the backyard. It was one of his hobbies at home. Home Depot was his favorite store and when he could no longer do these projects, he could definitely show you how it’s done. Rusty had many other hobbies he enjoyed, such as camping at Crown King in Arizona. He enjoyed going to Arizona Diamondbacks baseball games and watching all NFL football games. OU was his favorite football team along with the Arizona Cardinals. He loved golfing, riding motorcycles, attending music festivals, like Country Thunder or county music concerts. He liked classic muscle cars and watching NASCAR races. Rusty was an avid book reader. And one of his greatest joys was always spending time with his friends and family, especially the times he got to play with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rusty graduated from Bixby High school in May of 1973. He worked for Air Products and Chemical for 17 years as an MRI technician in Chandler, AZ. Here he won driver of the year award in safety for having no accidents with the company while working there. Unfortunately, in April of 2003, Rusty was injured in a motorcycle accident but being the strong hard-working man that he is, he did not let that stop him from going on his first Carnival cruise, which took him to the Bahamas, NASAU, Freeport, and Key West. One of his greatest accomplishments was being baptized in First Baptist Church in Bixby, OK.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Mitchell; son, Cameron of Queen Creek, Arizona; daughter, Tisha Scherr of Gilbert, Arizona; brother, Jack Mitchell (Teresa) of Wagner, OK; half-sister, Louann Lehman (Michael) of Benton, AR; as well as his half-brother, Dennis Mitchell of Sapulpa, OK. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and two great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Hazel Raibourn and Bill Mitchell, as well as his stepfather, Onis Henry, and half-brother, Raymond Mitchell.
A graveside service was held at San Tan Memorial Gardens on Friday, March 28, 2025, followed by a reception held at his residence.
The funeral home caring for Rusty and handling his services is San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home.
