William Soderquist

Biography

William Elmer Soderquist was born January 29, 1928 to Elmer and Lodi Soderquist in San Francisco, California. Bill survived many bouts with cancer but finally succumbed on March 28. Bill’s first job was at the age of 6, selling newspapers on the San Francisco trollies. He became one of the first Cub Scouts in America as part of the pilot program in San Francisco. One of his favorite childhood memories was when he later became a Boy Scout. His troop wore short pants, knee socks, and wide brim hats. When they went on campouts they took the trolley car to the Golden Gate Bridge where they would hike across and on to Mount Tamalpais to camp. Bill moved to Santa Rosa, California in 1942 and played football for Santa Rosa High School from 1942-1946. After graduation he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Japan. He proudly served as part of the 11th Airborne paratroopers. When he came home he married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn. Bill joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1952 and was sealed to Marilyn a year later in the Idaho Falls Temple. Two sons, Alan and Steve, miraculously came by way of adoption in 1955. Alan was 3 and Steve was 2. In 1957 Bill went to work for the Boy Scouts of America as a professional scouter which he said was his career highlight. He retired from Scouting in 1973. He later retired from Delta U.S. Oil Drilling Company in 1986. In reality Bill never retired from Scouting and worked to promote and organize scout packs and troops throughout his life Bill loved landscaping and has built beautiful gardens wherever he has lived. He also has directed many plays, musicals, dance festivals and was very artistic. He and Marilyn share a love of dancing. Bill was a fun and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle. He has many close and abiding friends. He touched the life of everyone he met with his kindness and wonderful spirit. He loved his LDS faith and his wonderful High Priest brothers. He will miss them. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, especially his wife of 63 years, Marilyn. The family would like to say thanks to the hospice program for the exceptional service they provided for Bill and his family. Bill is survived by his sweetheart, Marilyn, son Alan and his wife Linda, son Steve and his wife Pat, 8 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. We all love Bill and he will be in our hearts forever.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 2 at 1:00 pm at the Bountiful South Stake Center, 1250 South Main St., Bountiful. A viewing will be held at 11:30 am prior to the funeral service.