Richard E. Sperry, 74, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Mt. Carmel, IL, departed this life from complications of lung cancer on December 15, 2013, with his “bestest friend” and wife of 32 years, Billie Jean, by his side. Richard was born in Mt. Carmel, IL, April 7, 1939, to Paul Clifton and Eullia Sperry. He graduated from Illinois School for the visually Impaired in 1959. He worked 20 years as a driller in the oil fields of IL, IN, and Texas. Later he and Billie Jean owned the Home Café in Mt. Carmel, IL for 13 years. In October 2000, he and Billie Jean moved to Mesa, AZ. Richard then worked 11 years as Courtesy Patrol at Mesa Regal R.V. Resort, retiring in October 2012. He was a member of Victory Lutheran Church, Mesa, AZ. He is survived by his “bestest friend” and wife, Billie Jean, stepson and daughter-in-law Neil Scott and Sherry Perry of Mesa, AZ, grandsons Brandon (Natalie) Perry of Chandler, AZ and Quinton Steele Perry of Mesa, AZ, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sandy and Kenny Hunsaker of Noblesville, IN, sister Mary Frailey of Litchfield, IL and sister-in-law, Irene Sperry of Litchfield, IL, stepbrother, Art Wood of Portland, Maine, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mom and stepfather, Eullia and Arthur Wood, his father, Paul Clifton Sperry, brothers, Eugene Sperry, Bill (Billie) Sperry, sisters Opal (Smith) Spruell, Raymond Wood, 2 nieces and 2 nephews and mother-in-law, Essie Reel. Special thanks to in home Hospice of AZ, which assisted Richard since May 2013. There will be a visitation between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm for Richard followed by the funeral service at 1:00 pm Wednesday December 18, 2013 at Mountain View Funeral Home Chapel, 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ (480-832-2850). Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of Arizona, 19820 N. 7th St., #130, Phoenix, AZ 85027-4783, in memory of Richard.