Willes Gerald Egan

Willes Gerald Egan (“Jerry”), age 89, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2024.  Born on May 26, 1934, in Park City, Utah to parents Horace Fredric Egan, Jr. and Elizabeth (“Betty”) Simmons Willes Egan. Jerry spent his early years in Summit County before moving to Salt Lake City with his family in 1941. Jerry graduated from East High School (1952) and the University of Utah (1956). While attending the “U”, Jerry met Minnie Jane Welch, and they were married on July 14, 1954, in the Logan Temple.

Jerry and Minnie Jane had nine children together: David, Ronald, Mark, Timothy, Sterling, Michael, Maria (deceased), Spencer and Camille. Their marriage ended in 1972, but their posterity gratefully celebrate the fruits of their 18-year union. We as Jerry’s children mourn his passing but are glad he is now released from the fog of dementia he suffered in recent years. We trust he is now enjoying warm and loving reunions on the other side of the veil. As put so eloquently in Amazing Grace: “My chains are gone; I’ve been set free.”

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, by his siblings Betty, Donna, Karl, Paul, and Pauline, and by Minnie Jane. Jerry is survived by all his children apart from Maria, and by well over 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jerry always had a strong faith in our Savior, and he served faithfully in a number of capacities in his various wards. He especially enjoyed working with the youth.

After a period of service as a pilot in the Air Force, Jerry worked as an IBM Computer Salesman, College Professor, and marketing & business systems consultant. Moving from Utah in the 1980s, he lived for many years in Danville, California, before moving to Corvallis, Oregon, and then finally returned to Utah in recent years.

Later in life, Jerry faced major challenges with depression and anxiety, but his natural personality was full of passion, charm, and charisma. He had a playful spirit and he loved tennis, golf, camping, hunting, and skiing, in addition to motorcycling in the mountains with his children and playing “Run Sheepy Run”.

On Friday, January 26, 2024, a viewing will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. Following the viewing, a funeral program celebrating his life will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the mortuary. Jerry will be interred at the Bountiful City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the many helping hands and caregivers at Chancellor Gardens Memory Care and A Plus Hospice for their tender care.