William Harvey “Bill” Cherry

January 2, 1949 – October 5, 2026

William Harvey “Bill” Cherry, beloved husband, father, friend, physician, and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026, in Irvine, California, surrounded by family.

Bill was born on January 2, 1949, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, to Harvey Herschel Cherry and LaPrele Bluth Cherry. He grew up in Winslow, Arizona, where he learned to work hard by raising livestock and running the family’s egg route. At Winslow High School, he was the varsity quarterback, point guard, and a standout pitcher.

After pitching for Mesa Community College, Bill served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kentucky and Tennessee. That service grew his testimony of the Savior, which guided the rest of his life. After returning from his mission, he attended Arizona State University, where he met the love of his life, Donna Kathryn Lee. They were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 22, 1972, and shared 54 years of marriage.

Bill studied biology and chemistry at ASU and was admitted to the University of Arizona College of Medicine before he even finished his bachelor's degree. After completing his residency in Phoenix, he moved his growing family to Hemet, California. There he practiced medicine for more than two decades and also served as president of the Riverside County Medical Association. Later, he practiced in Murrieta, served on the Hemet Hospital board, and was a medical director until his passing. Dr. Cherry treated his patients like family. One could find him treating people in his own front room late at night and ministering to the sick on weekends, without ever asking for anything in return.

Bill served faithfully as a bishop, high councilor, and gospel doctrine teacher, amongst other church callings. He loved family history, church history, and his Scottish heritage. He took his family on an unforgettable trip to England and Scotland to visit his ancestral lands. Bill and Donna opened their home to foster children and many other youth who needed love and support. He will be remembered by those who knew him as one of the most kind, generous, loyal, endlessly optimistic, and likable people they had ever met.

Bill is survived by his wife, Donna; his children, William Brett Cherry (Caryn), Michele Lee Tomlinson (Darren), Christopher Michael Cherry (Serena), and Nicholas Alexander Cherry (Celeste); twelve grandchildren; and his brother, Sam Cherry. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and LaPrele Cherry; and half-siblings, Charles Thomas Cherry and Mabel Rebecca Gibson.

Services:

A viewing will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5353 Bryan Ave., Irvine, CA 92620.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Eagar Cemetery, 295 W. 3rd St., Eagar, AZ 85925.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Philanthropies (https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/in-memoriam/), or your charity of choice, in Bill’s name.