William Smith

William Sharp Smith 1916 ~ 2007

Layton- William Sharp Smith, 91, died of causes incident to old age at Rocky Mountain Care in Clearfield, Utah. He was born April 12, 1916 in Blackfoot, Idaho to George H. Smith, Jr. and Christie Isabel Sharp. At age 10 he moved to Lehi, Utah where he graduated from high school. He married Dorothy Ford divorced. Married Dorothy C. Clausing March 9, 1945 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. William retired from the Union Pacific Railroad where he worked for many years. At age 27 a railroad accident resulted in the loss of his right arm.

William was a gentle, generous man and loving and supportive husband and father who tried to help others. He abhorred debt and was always modest in his material needs and wants. He served as a seventy in the LDS Church and was active as a missionary for many years. He also gave long service in the Sunday School as ward and stake superintendent later president and high priest group leader and was active in temple service. He had few hobbies, but had an interest in numismatics, enjoyed camping and hiking with his brother Lewis and other family members in the Oquirrh mountains and a long tradition of attending the general priesthood session of LDS general conference in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Cummings Chocolates and Snelgrove?s ice cream were his only vices. In spite of his handicap, he took pride in maintaining his automobiles and home and often worked two jobs simultaneously to support his family. He also built a two story cabin in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Survived by sons, Ronald Carolyn of St. George, Gordon Inola of Farmington, and William Gailan of Orem, sister, Beth Fredrick Edvalson of Pleasant Grove and 25 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his sister Nora, brothers, Leo George, Lewis Samuel and Victor, a daughter Karen Walt Witt, and sons, Donald and Gary Sharp Judi and grandsons Gary Sharp Smith Jr. and Eric Grant Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, April 30, 2007, Windsor Meadows 1st Ward Chapel, 2850 West Gordon Ave., Layton, Utah. Friends and family may call from 6-8 p.m., April 29, 2007, at Russon Brothers Farmington Mortuary, 1941 North Main St. across from Cherry Hill and Monday morning from 10:45-11:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment- Lehi City Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com

Special thanks to members of the Windsor Meadows 1st ward who took special care of Dad in his declining years.