Wayne Fisher

Wayne Ekman Fisher passed away peacefully, returning to his Heavenly Father on July 20, 2010, two days after his 94th birthday. Wayne was born July 18, 1916, in Richfield, Utah, to Thomas Lyon and Josephine Ekman Fisher; he was fifth of their six children. Dad was born of strong pioneer stock. He was proud of his heritage and was active in Sons of Utah Pioneers throughout his life. Wayne was a respected businessman. His family moved to Bountiful in 1926 when his father purchased the Bountiful Lumber & Supply on Main Street. He worked there for 81 years, progressing from a 9-year-old boy helping his parents get established to eventually running company, until his 90th birthday. The countless regular customers of the business knew him as a humble man with impeccable honesty and a helpful nature. Dad graduated from Davis High School in 1934 and continued his education at the University of Utah, where he earned a degree in business in 1938. Wayne served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States Mission. His assignments included responsibility for mission office business affairs and also touring with the Missionary Male Chorus. Upon his return home, Wayne was inducted into the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served as a radio operator in the Pacific Theater, primarily in Okinawa. While training in Seattle, he still found a way to indulge his love for music; he sang in the opera &qoute;Aida&qoute; with the San Carlos Opera Company. Dad met his sweetheart, Zina Vae Moore, when they were in a choir together. They were married in 1949 in the Logan Temple, and together they raised six children in Bountiful. Dad had a firm and unquestioning testimony of Jesus Christ and His atonement, and in the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration. Their home reflected their firm testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the value of hard work, the importance learning, and their passion for good music. Dad’s greatest love was serving — his family, his church, those in his business – all he came in contact with. When he did take time for himself, he found joy in good music and historically accurate books and stories. He kept his love of learning all his life, and he was knowledgeable on a wide range of subjects. Wayne was preceded in death by his brother Alan and sisters Phyllis F. Knowlton, Ardelle F. Larsen Backman, and Norma F. Alter. He is survived by Zina, his dear wife of 61 years, their children Darrell Jeanne of Richland, Washington; Larry Paula Fisher, Sharlene Gary Montgomery, Gordon Debbie Fisher of Bountiful; Dale Diane Fisher of Riverton; Boyd JoAnn Fisher of West Bountiful, and his brother Dr. Don L. Fisher, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; 28 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, July 26, 2010, at the Bountiful 9th Ward LDS chapel, 585 East Center, Bountiful, Utah. Friends may call Sunday July 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, and from 10:30 to 11:40 AM Monday prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Bountiful Cemetery.