C. William "Bill" Curtis

Bountiful, Utah – Our loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather C. William "Bill" Curtis passed away Friday morning, September 7, 2018, with his wife & daughters close by. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life, born April 28, 1924, in Oakley, ID, to Elwin John Curtis and Lola Helena Officer.  He attended South High School and graduated from the University of Utah in Radio Speech Arts & Drama. He met his wife, Gayle Blake Williams, in a singing group called "Sacra Dulce Chorus" in Salt Lake City. He served in the Air Force in WWII in the Pacific theater and also in the Korean War, stationed on Guam both times. He was a gunner in a B24 and B29. After the war he married Gayle in the Salt Lake Temple on October 23, 1951. They have been married 67 years.
He worked for KSL Radio as a sound effects man and then went on to KSL Television. He then was employed by KMJ TV, McClatchy Broadcasting Company, in Fresno, CA for 23 years as an announcer/producer/director, during which time he also hosted the "Uncle Bill Show" (a children's afternoon program featuring Mickey Mouse Club and Superman). While raising his family in Fresno, he also wrote & directed several award-winning church road shows and other ward and stake theatrical/musical productions. He was also involved as the director of several Fresno Community Theatre productions.
Flying was very important to him. He was a CFII (Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument), qualified to teach single engine, multi engine, and instrument ratings. Professionally he also flew charter flights for a fixed base operation (FBO) in Idaho and for the National Forrest Service to gather daily weather data. He logged more than 10,000 hours of flight time as pilot in command.
In addition to flying, he loved music and making music. He played clarinet, tenor saxophone, ukulele, piano, and sang vocals. For the last 20 years of his life, Bill played in several bands, including a dance band that played at senior centers in Bountiful & Salt Lake City. At the age of 91 he picked up his own grandfather's violin and taught himself to play. He also entertained his family with comedic theatrical recitations, such as Little Herbert, Red Riding Hood, Sam Small, and the Watermillion.
He is preceded in death by his son John and grandchildren Crystal Tracy and Brandon Tracy. He is survived by his loving wife, Gayle, and three daughters Christy Williams (Keoki), Pamela Boyce (Kim), and Lisa Moss (Alan), 16 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, 6-8 pm at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful. The funeral will be held Thursday, September 13, 2018, 11 am at North Canyon 7th Ward Building, 3350 South 100 East in Bountiful, where a visitation will be held prior to the services, 10-10:45 am. Special thanks to the doctors and staff at the Veterans Hospital, especially the nurses in the Dialysis Unit, and to Encompass Hospice.