Fairview Pioneer Dies at Fish Haven

Funeral services were held at Fish Haven, Idaho in the LDS Chapel Thursday, Sept 13 for William J. Jensen, former Star Valley resident who died Sept 11 at the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital in Montpelier of an illness. A number of relatives and friends from here were in attendance.

William Jolley Jensen 85, was born in Clarkston, Cache County, Utah on July 31, 1871 to Ole Andrew Jensen and Margaret Ann Jolley. He was one of a family of 15 children, nine sons and six daughters.

In his youth he worked on his father's farm and took over other farm lands to manage. He worked at odd jobs on Saturday and after school in order to put himself through college.

He met and married Clarissa May Ames, daughter of Clark Carter Ames and Frances Jane Beavan, in the Logan Temple on Sept. 30, 1892. Ten children were born to this union.

Mr Jensen taught at the A.C. Academy at Logan after he graduated from college. He was always seeking the best from life.

He moved to Star Valley and settled at a site which later became the town of Fairview. In that location he entered into many phases of civic life. He was a partner in the mercantile business, and was principal of the school there. He followed the profession of an educator for 21 years. It was from this ? that he entered politics and was elected in 1909 to represent district in the state legislature at Cheyenne, for a term of four year.

Throughout his life he has always been active in the Church of Latter-day Saints. He was active in drama functions and was a member of the Fairview Dramatic Company. He was also a member of the first brass band in Fairview. He was with the Wood Livestock Company as plant manager of machinery for a number of years. He was Justice of the Peace in 1896 of Fairview.

In March 1915 he took his family to Diamondville, Wyoming where he was manager of the lumber yard and time keeper for the Diamond l and Coke Company.

From counselor to Bishop Stevensen he advanced to bishop of the Diamondville Ward and was retained as bishop of the Diamondville-Kemmerer Ward when they were combined.

His wife died May 4, 1925 at Diamondville after a brief illness and was buried there.

Jensen, William J. (11 Sept 1956)Star Valley Independent