Herbert “Esau” Wyant, 83, of Holbrook passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at Flagstaff Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, at the Holbrook Cemetery, preceded by a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Owens Livingston Mortuary in Holbrook.
Esau was born Sept. 5, 1931, in Chesapeake, Ohio, the son of Thomas and Pearl Wyant. He grew up in Ohio and was a member of a traveling band. Esau landed in Holbrook when the bands’ van broke done and he had no choice but to obtain a job as a cook in a local diner, The Green Lantern. He then met, DJ Holyoak Wyant, who he asked to marry based on a bet. Esau and DJ married Jan. 14, 1963, in Spokane, Wash., before returning to Holbrook to “settle down” for the next 44 years.
Esau worked as a clerk at many local businesses, including, but not limited to, Tate’s Auto Center and the Pow Wow Trading Post. He continued to share his love of music, and played his guitar in several bands and bars over the years. The last 15 years specifically, he played in a Folk Band with various band members including Hal Porter, Carl “Slim” Turner, Jay and Phyllis Breese, Phil and Sharon Shade, Jerry Goodman, Jim Mendell, Linda and Dave Qualls, Art Roe and Mac Essery.
Survivors include his daughter, Ginna (Dana) Burgan of Holbrook; two sons, Virll Wyant and Irwin (Valerie) Wyant of Flagstaff; four grandchildren, Anthony (Sarai) Burgan and Britney Burgan of Holbrook, and David and Jacob Wyant of Flagstaff; two great-grandchildren, Aden and Kyle Burgan of Holbrook; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Pearl Wyant; his beloved wife, DJ Holyoak Wyant; and his siblings.
