St. George, Utah – Amos Childers, 93, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2012. He was born July 8, 1918 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Clarence A. and Rosa Amos Childers. He married Mary Lou Wilks on February 22, 1942 in Indianapolis.
He graduated from Purdue University in 1941 with a degree in mechanical engineering and began a 38 year career with General Motors. He began as a Junior Process Engineer at AC Spark Plug in Flint, Michigan and throughout his career with AC Spark Plug he was promoted into various positions including Assistant Superintendent of Polar Converters, Superintendent of Shipping and Superintendent of Manufacturing. In 1965 he transferred to Guide Lamp Division in Anderson, Indiana as Director of Production Engineering. Before he retired in 1978 he was Director of Production Engineering, and Manager of Purchasing and Material Control.
Amos enjoyed bowling, golf, and cribbage and at the age of 50 starting running. At age 58 he ran his first marathon, placed in the top 35% in over 20 races and had numerous firsts in his age group.
He was involved in many community service organizations including Goodwill Industries and the IMA (Industrial Mutual Assn.) in Flint, Michigan, the YMCA and United Way in Anderson, Indiana. In 1983 he and Mary Lou moved to Sun City West, Arizona where they both enjoyed the many amenities and led full, active lives. In 2009 they moved to St. George Utah to be closer to their daughter, Joan. They resided at Cliff View Senior Living Community where Mary Lou passed away in October 2010.
Amos is survived by daughters, Dianne Childers of Saline, Michigan, Joan Childers of Ivins, Utah, Martha (John) Watson of Flint, Michigan, and son, Craig (Jane) Childers of Oxford, Michigan. His grandchildren include, Barry MacDougall of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Darby Davis of Tacoma Washington, Scott MacDougall of Highland, Michigan, Doug Rustin of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Andrew Childers of Birmingham, Michigan, Emily Childers of Chicago, Illinois, and one great-grandson, Zachary Jacob of Tacoma, Washington.
A private family memorial included the scattering of Amos and Mary Lou’s ashes on July 5, 2012.
The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and compassionate service Amos and Mary Lou received at Cliff View Senior Living Community and The Retreat at Sun River St. George Assisted Living.
Arrangements were made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary., 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, (435) 673-2454.
