Bill is survived by his wife Merlene; children Jerry, Pat, LuAnn, Butch, and Pete; and four siblings, John, Ron, Cort, and Toni. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Born April 1, 1925 in Rotterdam, Holland, Bill always joked he was our April Fool.
He immigrated to the United States in 1929 and grew up in Salt Lake City where he attended South High School. At the onset of World War II, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy as a gunner's mate, serving on the USS LeJeune between 1943-1946.
Bill had a great fondness for his shipmates, keeping in touch with them long after the war was over. Well into his twilight years, Bill looked forward to attending annual "LeJeune" reunions all over the United States. Bill took a job at "Fred and Kelly's" in Downtown Salt Lake City after his discharge from the navy.
Flipping burgers in the grill, Bill fell in love with a beautiful waitress named Merlene Peck, and he made up his mind he wouldn't leave her alone until she agreed to marry him. Bill and Merlene spent the next 60 years together raising five wonderful children, 17 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Bill worked at the Continental Baking Company for 39 years as a Wonder Bread salesman.
He always kept a supply of Twinkies in the freezer, which he used to spoil his grandchildren, who always referred to him as "Grandpa Twinkie." The people at Continental Bakery became Bill's life-long friends. They stayed in touch with each other long after Bill retired in 1990.
Over his lifetime, Bill taught his family the value of hard-work and integrity. He always cared about everyone and was constantly serving others. We will miss his warmth, his love and his wonderful cooking.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary Chapel, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South). Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. and on Thursday one hour prior to the services at the same location.
Published in the Deseret News on 2/1/2009.
Bill is survived by his wife Merlene; children Jerry, Pat, LuAnn, Butch, and Pete; and four siblings, John, Ron, Cort, and Toni. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Born April 1, 1925 in Rotterdam, Holland, Bill always joked he was our April Fool.
He immigrated to the United States in 1929 and grew up in Salt Lake City where he attended South High School. At the onset of World War II, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy as a gunner's mate, serving on the USS LeJeune between 1943-1946.
Bill had a great fondness for his shipmates, keeping in touch with them long after the war was over. Well into his twilight years, Bill looked forward to attending annual "LeJeune" reunions all over the United States. Bill took a job at "Fred and Kelly's" in Downtown Salt Lake City after his discharge from the navy.
Flipping burgers in the grill, Bill fell in love with a beautiful waitress named Merlene Peck, and he made up his mind he wouldn't leave her alone until she agreed to marry him. Bill and Merlene spent the next 60 years together raising five wonderful children, 17 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Bill worked at the Continental Baking Company for 39 years as a Wonder Bread salesman.
He always kept a supply of Twinkies in the freezer, which he used to spoil his grandchildren, who always referred to him as "Grandpa Twinkie." The people at Continental Bakery became Bill's life-long friends. They stayed in touch with each other long after Bill retired in 1990.
Over his lifetime, Bill taught his family the value of hard-work and integrity. He always cared about everyone and was constantly serving others. We will miss his warmth, his love and his wonderful cooking.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary Chapel, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South). Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. and on Thursday one hour prior to the services at the same location.
Published in the Deseret News on 2/1/2009.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement