David Earl Wiltse
May 28, 1949 - February 11, 2021

David Earl Wiltse, 71, of Phoenix, Arizona went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 11, 2021 after a valiant battle with a long illness. His devotion to his family and his strong faith in God supported him during his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.

David was born in Detroit, MI where he attended Salesian Catholic High School. He attended The University of Toledo, where he was a member of the Alpha Pi Mu, Industrial Engineering Honor Society. He also attended Arizona State University where he earned a Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering. He was a Senior Member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1978 where he was employed at AiResearch Manufacturing Company for 25 years as an Aerospace Engineer where he held a Secret Security Clearance.

David served in the United States Air Force as a Munitions and Weapons Specialist at Pleiku Air Base, Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He received the National Defense Service Medal, and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

David loved traveling, visiting more than 24 states, Canada and Mexico. He was an avid reader, a book collector and a coin and stamp collector. He loved Science Fiction books and movies. He loved building Lego sets with his youngest twin granddaughters, who called him "Tata". He loved playing chess and board games with them. He was a lover of animals and adored the many pets he had throughout his life. He deeply loved his blended family and especially enjoyed the holidays when the entire family would visit. He loved cooking and making specialty holiday dishes.

David was active in his Catholic faith and was a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church. He once taught Religious Education classes with his wife, Sylvia, at Sts. Simon and Jude Cathedral.

David was an educator at heart. He was kind, generous and soft-spoken and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. He will be dearly missed by his friends and loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with The Lord.

David is survived by his wife, Sylvia, of 25 years, his sister, Sharon Goodman, brothers Richard Wiltse, Donald Wiltse (Erica), sons Robert Hatcher, David Wiltse Jr. (Cynthia), Edward Garcia, Jr. (J.R.), daughters Bonni Taylor, Jennifer Wiltse, Regina Simon (John), 17 grandchildren, Nicole, Matthew, Canji, Bryan, Hope, David III, Chynna Cline (Tanner), Alyx Garcia (Ignacio), Caitlin, Trinity, Brenton, Dylan, Hunter, Sakura, Halee Presutti (Anthony), Journey, Jovey and 9 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Royce Wiltse and his stepmother Jean Wiltse.

Socially distanced services will be held. Visitation will be Friday, February 26 from 5pm to 7pm with a Rosary at 7pm at Hansen Mortuary, 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ. Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 330 W. Coral Gables Dr., Phoenix, AZ on Saturday, February 27 at 10am. Burial be at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery, Phoenix, AZ immediately following.

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