Kenneth Reed Bills

Kenneth Reed Bills, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend completed his mortal sojourn after a brief struggle with very rare T-cell leukemia on October 4, 2015.  He was born to Joseph Reed Bills and Faye Boyack Bills in Payson, Utah on July 18, 1941. 

He married his sweetheart, Ada Caroline Taylor in the Salt Lake Temple on March 19, 1965 and they happily celebrated fifty wonderful years together. He is survived by his wife Ada; sons Scott (Michelle) and Bryce (Heather); grandchildren Zachary, Jeffrey, Olivia, Phoebe, and Cami; sister Debbie Reid and other extended family.   He is preceded in death by parents, in-laws, and one granddaughter, Mikayla.

Ken’s early years were spent in Payson, Utah while his father served in the military. The family later moved to Salt Lake City where he attended school and college developing a life-long love of learning. He graduated from Granite High School in 1959 and attended the University of Utah which formed his working career in computer programing/software engineering where he had the distinction of bringing the 5th computer, nicknamed “Frodo”, to the Milnet.  He worked at Hill Air Force Base then Univac later Unisys.  His work took him to numerous places both foreign and domestic until he retired in 2001 after thirty two years of service.  Spurred on by the educational achievements of wife and sons, he completed his formal education and received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems from the University of Phoenix in 1999.

He served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps reserve, being honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal.

Ken was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many callings including temple ordinance worker, bishopric counselor, scoutmaster, teacher and missionary.  He was very proud of his missionary service as a young elder to the South Australia Mission under President Bruce R. McConkie.  He and his wife also had the privilege of being senior missionaries to the New York Utica Mission which also afforded them the opportunity to immerse in early church history.

He never considered himself a very proficient singer, but someone thought otherwise and invited him to join the church choir.  This led to participation in numerous church and community choirs, ten years with the chorus of the Utah Opera Company, plus numerous stage productions with the Salt Lake Community College and the Rodgers Memorial Theater.   Good music was a joy for him.

Ken was an avid reader of many subjects and had a keen interest in things both spiritual and scholastic. His retirement years allowed him opportunity to pursue those interests through church and community service and volunteering at the Natural History Museum of Utah with a favorite focus in anthropology and paleontology.   He loved talking with people and sharing in some small way his vast knowledge.

Following his father’s example, Ken learned how to fix or build almost anything, and used those skills to enhance his home and the homes of others.  He became a proficient wood worker and created many useful and endearing projects.  He was always generous with his time and talents.  He had the opportunity to explore much of the Unites States and other remote corners of the world.  Ken and Ada achieved the dream of travelling by motorhome to 46 of the 50 states (they had to fly to Alaska and Hawaii). Their road trips included visits to family who settled on the East coast, church history sites and temples, national parks, historic sites and monuments, and new golf courses.  These adventures resulted in way too many pictures but lots of wonderful memories.  He became an avid golfer and achieved the elusive hole-in-one last June, which cost him a round of soft drinks for his fellow Lakeside Men’s Association golfers.  He was still playing up to the week before he was diagnosed with leukemia.  He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching sports, especially the Utes beating BYU.

While all of these things were a big part of Ken’s life, none surpassed his love for his family.  He was so proud of the achievements of his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and other family members, never missing an opportunity to share that pride with others when possible.

Above all else was his firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the reality of the atonement, the joy of the plan of salvation and happiness, and the assurance of the love of our Heavenly Father.   He has been reunited with friends and family to begin the next phase of his eternal journey. 

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 9, 2015 at the Woods Cross 6th Ward LDS chapel, 1500 S. 800 W., Woods Cross at 11:30 am.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 8, 2015 from 6-8 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main St., Bountiful, UT 84010 and at the chapel from 10-11 am prior to service.  Internment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 E. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City.  If desired, in lieu of flowers, we suggest donating to LDS Church Missionary Fund or the Natural History Museum of Utah.  Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com